Silicon Valley start-up Booyah announced yesterday that they raised $4.5 million is Series A financing from Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers (KPCB) iFund. The so-called iFund is a $100 million venture capital fund that was established to specifically seed iPhone developers. Notably, iPhone game developer Ngmoco was amongst the first to receive this funding.
Booya was founded by Keith Lee, Brian Morrisroe and Sam Christiansen who have had previously successful careers at Blizzard Entertainment, Activision and Insomniac Games.
“We were immediately compelled by the promise of Booyah and the background of the founders,” said Matt Murphy, partner, KPCB. “The iFund was created to help build the most promising and innovative businesses that utilize the discrete capabilities of the iPhone and iPod touch. Booyah is a terrific example.”
Booyah’s first product has not yet been publicly disclosed but is described as an “innovative and compelling entertainment product" which is said to combine “the immersive experiences that draw consumers to massively multi-player online games, the interconnectedness of social media, and the power of the iPhone and iPod touch."
Based on the available information, it doesn’t sound quite like a “game", but given the pedigree of the founding partners, it seems something to keep an eye on.
