After seeing the Dark Knight Rises last night, I felt compelled to test a theory that everything can somehow be framed within the Batman context. One way or another, I managed to find a Batman angle for all of today's funding news. It wasn't that hard, considering Bruce Wayne would probably be an angel investor if he spent less time saving the world from destruction and gave less money to orphans. And that mouthpiece Bane wears looks suspiciously like a piece of hardware I saw on Kickstarter. To the Bat Cave!
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Bit9 stockpiles $34.5M to fight cybercrime (and maybe the League of Shadows)
Online security company Bit9 just announced the close of $34.5 million funding from some of the biggest names in venture capital. This is Bit9′s fourth round, and it’s led by Sequoia Capital. The round also includes existing investors Atlas Ventures, Highland Capital Partners, Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, and .406 Ventures. Bit9 combats advanced persistent threats that standard virus protection software, like McAfee and Symantec, do not. The technology uses real-time sensors, monitoring, and application control to protect endpoints and servers from malicious attacks.
This is the largest round in Bit9′s history, just about doubling its total funding raised over previous rounds. Read more on VentureBeat.
Netpulse gets $15.6M so Batman, Robin, Catwoman (and you) can stay in shape
Netpulse, a company that creates customizable entertainment systems for gym equipment stair-mastered its way to $15.6 million in a third round of financing. The round was led by August Capital, with participation from current investors Javelin Venture Partners, DFJ Frontier, and Parkview Ventures. This brings Netpulse's total institutional funding to just over $20 million.
Netpulse allows exercisers to enjoy on-demand TV and music, as well as virtual exercise scenarios to make working out on cardio machines less painful and unpleasant. As opposed to using the elliptical for 15 minutes before calling it a day, people may stay on for a full 45 minutes to see drama between the Real Housewives on Beverly Hills unfold. Catwoman didn't get a smoking' bod from lounging on the couch.
9GAG releases mobile app, raises $2.8M to spread giggles like fear in Gotham City
Continuing its effort to fill the world with laughter, 9GAG rolled out a mobile app today that makes sharing its “wildly popular irreverent and hilariously funny content” easier than ever. 9GAG also received $2.8 million in seed financing.
9GAG is a large online comedy community where users can discover and post content they find amusing and share it across social media networks. The platform receives 70 million global unique visitors and more than a billion page views a month. This is how stuff goes viral.
This initial investment was led by Freestyle Capital and True Ventures, with participation from First Round Capital, Greycroft Partners, returning investor 500 Startups, and notable angel investors like Kevin Rose, Tim Ferriss, and David Tisch. Read more on VentureBeat.
Adapx adds 4 Star General to board to make field opps, bat maneuvers more effective
It was clear from the betrayal of certain Wayne Enterprises board members (ahem Miranda Tate) that collecting a core group of trusted advisors is extremely important for efforts at world peace to stay on course. Fortunately for Adapx, it has added former Army Vice Chef of Staff General Peter W. Chiarelli to its board and raised $3 million in new funding.
Adapx manufactures Capturx software, which turns offline communication tools like speech, sketches, and handwriting into actionable data. The technology has been used by the defense sector to help to plan and execute military missions, promote collaboration amongst field teams, and provide health assessments for wounded soldiers. General Chiarelli offers a career of military expertise to help grow this area of the company's development.