The following list includes venture capital and other investments into wireless companies announced during the past week. The value of the investment is included when available.
Gizmoz: DoCoMo Capital Inc. led a $6.5 million Series B funding round into Gizmoz, a social expression and user-generated media service. Additional funding was provided by Ngi Capital. Existing investors Benchmark Capital and Columbia Capital also participated. Gizmoz said it will use the funding to expand into Asia, starting with Japan. Gizmoz has offices in Menlo Park, Calif., and Israel.
SendMe: GrandBanks Capital led a $15 million Series C round of funding into mobile media company SendMe Mobile. Existing investors True Ventures and Spark Capital also participated. SendMe said it will use the funding to promote its three core brands, SendMeMobile.com, SoLow.com and mBuzzy.com.
SpinVox: Several investors participated in an investment round exceeding $100 million into SpinVox, a U.K.-based company that provides voice-to-screen messaging. The new round builds on previous investments from private equity investors such as Martin Hughes, Charles Dunstone of Carphone Warehouse and Peter Wood, founder of Direct Line. Institutional investors also participated, including ABN Amro, Gartmore and Allen & Co. The company said it will use the funding to build its global business.
Thumbplay: Brookside Capital Partners and Cross Creek Capital led an $18 million funding round into New York-based entertainment content company Thumbplay. The company plans to use the Series E funding to expand its direct-to-consumer product offerings and to accelerate its strategic growth plans.
