Lithium registers $18M to build customer relations channels

Lithium Technologies, builder of customer relations channels like customized forums, blogs and social networks for other companies, has brought in $18 million of an anticipated $23 millon round of venture funding, according to a filing with the SEC. Based in Emeryville, Calif., the company is backed by Benchmark Capital, Emergence Capital Partners and Shasta Ventures. It has raised $39 million to date.