SonicMule, Inc. (Smule), a premier developer of interactive sonic applications for the iPhone, announced today that it has completed a $3.9 million financing led by Granite Ventures. Bessemer Venture Partners, the lead investor in Smule’s first round, participated in this new round alongside existing investors Jeffrey C. Smith, co-founder and CEO of Smule, and Maples Investments. Smule will use the new funds to enhance its position as a leading developer of innovative applications and services for mobile users.
“Smule has emerged as a leading brand on the iPhone, acquiring a million customers within the first months of launching its first products,” said Chris Hollenbeck, managing director at Granite Ventures and now a member of Smule’s board of directors, in the press release. “Given our experience with Jeff in his previous venture, we’re excited to once again join forces as Smule pursues this new opportunity in sonic media.”
“I’m pleased to have Granite as a partner again and to have Chris join Smule’s board of directors,” said Jeff in the press release. “Chris’s background and experience in digital voice, video content, and consumer entertainment are all fundamental to our business as we explore new terrain at Smule.”
After taking his previous company public on the NASDAQ, Jeff elected to pursue a doctorate in music composition at Stanford University, where he met Dr. Ge Wang, co-founder and CTO of Smule, and Assistant Professor at Stanford University’s Center for Computer Research in Music and Acoustics (CCRMA). Together, Jeff and Ge conceived of SonicMule (aka Smule).
Smule’s Sonic Lighter achieved the #1 paid-ranking in ten Apple App Stores around the world and Smule’s Ocarina achieved the #1 paid-ranking in over forty Apple App Stores. Smule has attracted more than one million users around the world.
“Smule has only begun to tap the creative potential of people around the world,” said Ge in the press release. “With the support of Granite and Bessemer, we will help people experience music as it’s never been experienced before and in turn find new ways of bringing people together.”
Source: SonicMule, Inc.
