Clearstone Venture Partners and Prism VentureWorks Invest in Video
Game and Virtual World Publisher
MARINA DEL REY, Calif.--(Business Wire)--
Six Degrees Games, Inc., a video game and virtual world publisher,
today announced it has secured $7 million in Series A equity financing
led by Clearstone Venture Partners and Prism VentureWorks. These funds
will support the product development, launch and distribution of an
original sports-themed virtual world designed for six- to
14-year-olds, but open to all ages. The project is currently in closed
beta and further details will become available over the next several
months.
"It's an exciting time for our entire Six Degrees Games team as we
drive toward the launch of an all-new, interactive sports-themed
virtual world," said Minard Hamilton, CEO and co-founder of Six
Degrees Games, Inc. "In Clearstone and Prism, we have found partners
that not only share our vision, but will also add immeasurably to our
successful execution."
"At Clearstone, we take great pride in investing in high-caliber
entrepreneurs focused on creating innovative consumer experiences.
With Six Degrees Games, there is a unique opportunity to deliver an
immersive, branded experience that will appeal to both kids and their
parents," said Jim Armstrong, Managing Director of Clearstone Venture
Partners. "We are very excited to be working with Minard, Ben and the
impressive team they have put together here in Southern California to
go after this massive opportunity."
"Six Degrees Games is poised to offer the youth market a virtual
sports world that surpasses current offerings," said Will Kohler,
Prism VentureWorks. "Prism's LA presence has opened doors into new,
high-value opportunities and Six Degrees Games is a great example of
this. Minard, Ben and the Six Degrees Games team have worked with
major participants in the world of sports, leagues and brands and
understand how to build high-growth, successful companies."
Six Degrees Games, Inc. was founded in 2006 by Minard Hamilton,
CEO, and Ben Jones, President, and is based in Marina del Rey, CA.
Prior to founding Six Degrees Games, Minard Hamilton and Ben Jones
were senior executives at JAMDAT Mobile, a leading mobile game company
which went public in 2005 and was later acquired by Electronic Arts in
2006. Prior to JAMDAT, Hamilton was a senior executive with ESPN and
ESPN.com and Jones established and coordinated partnerships between
leading game developers and publishers.
As part of the financing agreement, Jim Armstrong, Managing
Director, Clearstone, and Will Kohler, Principal, Prism VentureWorks,
have joined the company's Board of Directors.
About Six Degrees Games, Inc.
Six Degrees Games, Inc. is a video game and virtual world
publisher for major video game systems and personal computers with
headquarters in Marina del Rey, CA. For more information, visit
www.sixdegreesgames.com.
About Clearstone Venture Partners
Clearstone Venture Partners is an early stage venture capital firm
with offices in Santa Monica, CA, Menlo Park, CA, and Mumbai, India.
Clearstone has a proven track record of developing market-changing
consumer internet companies, including: PayPal, NetZero, Overture and
CarsDirect. The firm has $650 million under management and is focusing
investments in its third fund on seed and early stage companies in the
United States and India. For more information, visit:
www.clearstone.com.
About Prism VentureWorks
Prism VentureWorks is an early stage venture capital firm focused
on disruptive segments in the Digital Media, Software & Services and
Life Sciences sectors. The firm represents a committed team of early
stage investors whose industry operating heritage and domain depth
make them valued partners among entrepreneurs and syndicates in
building successful businesses. Founded in 1996, the Firm has
approximately $1.25 billion in capital under management with offices
in Needham, MA, and Venice, CA. For more information, visit
www.prismventure.com.
Six Degrees Games, Inc.
Tim DaRosa, Director of Marketing
(773) 391-1865
tim@sixdegreesgames.com
Copyright Business Wire 2008
