torsdag 1. april 2010

Updated: Social network hi5 raising second round, did not raise $23M

Social network hi5 appears to have raised is raising some fresh funding for its efforts to become a social gaming destination — the San Francisco company has raised another $23 million (of which $3 million is debt), according to regulatory filings. (See update below.)
Last fall, hi5’s growth stalled and the company decided that its salvation lay in a tight focus social gaming, which would bring in revenue from virtual goods. It hired gaming veteran Alex St. John as its new president and chief technology officer, acquired social game company Big Six, and last month announced a new initiative to recruit game developers. Since his hiring, St. John has argued that Hi5’s gaming focus will give it an advantage over bigger competitors like Facebook, whose games strategy he has called “schizophrenic.”
The filings don’t say who’s funding the new round. Hi5 previously raised a $20 million first round, plus $15 million in debt. I’ve emailed the company for comment and will update if I hear back.
Update: Michael Trigg, hi5’s vice president of marketing and development, sent me the following email:
The story is incorrect. We did *not* raise an additional $23 million. The only reason this filing was done was for a $3 million convertible from our existing series A investor, Mohr-Davidow. We are expecting to close a series B soon, but are not prepared to announce it yet.
Companies: hi5

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