CATALYST MOBILE SECURES $10 MILLION IN SERIES B FUNDING
Innovative Mobile Entertainment Provider to Expand Operations, Build on Success in Asia
EMERYVILLE, CALIFORNIA, October 9, 2007– Catalyst Mobile, a provider of next generation mobile music and entertainment services, today announced the company has secured $10 million in Series B financing. Leading the investment round is Sofinnova Ventures of San Francisco, California, joined by DCM of Menlo Park, California. The total amount invested in Catalyst Mobile to date is $14.5 million.
The funding will enable Catalyst Mobile to build on its established business momentum in deploying technology and services with the world’s leading mobile handset manufacturers, rights holders and mobile operators such as Japan’s NTT DoCoMo and KDDI, and China Mobile and China Unicom in China.
Catalyst Mobile is delivering music distribution services including the deployment of a joint service in Japan with Warner Music Group and services based upon brands such as Garfield, The First which publishes the official magazine of the Beijing Olympic Organizing Committee, and Dorling Kindersley (DK) in China.
"This latest round of capital will be used to expand our global presence by accelerating our existing music and entertainment service offerings deployed in Asia in addition to advancing the development of our technology solutions here in the United States," said Peter Meechan, President and CEO of Catalyst Mobile. "We are very excited to be working closely with Sofinnova Ventures and DCM who are proven industry leaders with stellar track records of success.”
“With a seasoned and global management team, a strong business-development network, and compelling service innovations for the world’s largest mobile-entertainment markets, Catalyst Mobile has made tremendous accomplishments for a company that launched less than two years ago,” said Gen Isayama, Principal at DCM. “We are very pleased to support the company’s growth plans, which are indicative of our track record in helping companies expand into China and Japan.”
“Today’s availability of advanced wireless networks, and multimedia handheld computers in a mobile phone footprint, are opening opportunities for mobile operators to offer new digital services,” said Eric Buatois, Managing Director of Sofinnova Ventures. “Catalyst Mobile provides an exciting new platform that enables the delivery of innovative music and entertainment services, a key strategic requirement as price pressure in the voice business undercuts margins.”
About Catalyst Mobile
Catalyst Mobile is Designing the Mobile Lifestyle™. We are accelerating the advanced mobile entertainment market through the creation of compelling entertainment services for consumers through our relationships with mobile operators and handset manufacturers in Japan, China and soon other parts of the world. Our proven solutions are powered by innovative technology delivery platforms that incorporate recognized media brands and are augmented by state-of-the-art technology partnerships. Catalyst Mobile enables experiences that engage, provides solutions that are proven, and delivers innovations that create opportunity. For more information, visit: www.catalystmobile.com.
Catalyst Mobile Public Relations:
Rebecca Garcia, Director
Tel: +1.415.591.4000