SchoolFeed.com, a classmate network that aims to connect users to the high school chums in their social network, has raised $1.5 million in seed funding. First Round Capital led the round and was joined by Crosslink Capital, InterWest Partners and SK Telecom. Co-founder Lance Tokuda, the co-founder and former CEO of RockYou, told peHUB that SchoolFeed differs from Classmates.com, which generates revenue by enticing people to subscribe and to communicate on their private platform. In comparison. Tokuda says SchoolFeed puts users in touch with former classmates by finding connections on Facebook. “Facebook is not really geared for high school connections, and the average classmate is hard to find on there,” Tokuda says. “But at the same time, there is a demand online for older users to re-establish contact with former classmates.” San Mateo, Calif.-based SchoolFeed was launched in July 2011 and Tokuda says that the funding will be used to build up the main site. Future features, he says, will include an online yearbook and help with putting on a reunion.
PRESS RELEASE
schoolFeed Announces $1.75 Million Investment Round
schoolFeed, the Fastest Growing Classmates Network, Makes it Easy to Find Classmates and Keep in Touch
San Mateo, February 8, 2012 – schoolFeed, the fastest growing classmate network online, today announced a seed investment round of $1.75 million. Since its initial availability in July 2011, schoolFeed has gained over 7 million users. The company mission is simple — to help users find and connect with their high school classmates. The round is led by First Round Capital with additional funding provided by the following firms; Crosslink Capital, InterWest, and SK Telecom.
schoolFeed is connecting the hundreds of millions of online users between the ages of 35-55, who didn’t have social networks while in school, and may have difficult locating classmates today. The classmate network offers an online yearbook and class directory with news feed, interest subscriptions and virtual currency.
SchoolFeed features:
- Find and connect with hundreds of old classmates in just one click
- Share an online yearbook with your graduating class
- Follow classmates based on interests
- Earn virtual currency as you engage with other users
“It’s amazing how many alumni have wanted to find old classmates. We’re creating over 15 new connections per second.” said Lance Tokuda, co-founder of schoolFeed. “There is a huge market for people that would really want to interact with old classmates. We are excited to offer them a network that meets their needs which is complimentary to Facebook’s social graph.”
“Early growth and feedback on schoolFeed has been astonishing,” said Rob Hayes, Managing Partner, First Round Capital “It’s really filling a void in classmates networking, and tapping a demographic that has been largely left out. The schoolFeed team is seasoned in social networking, content and engagement mechanics. We look forward to watching schoolFeed become the largest classmate network worldwide.”
To learn more about schoolFeed, visit www.schoolfeed.com or its application on Facebook at http://apps.facebook.com/school_feed/.
About SchoolFeed
schoolFeed is a fast growing classmate network that makes it easy to find and keep in touch with classmates. It combines an online yearbook and class directory with news feeds, interest subscriptions and virtual currency. Founded in 2011, schoolFeed has over 7 million users and is funded by First Round Capital, InterWest, SK Telecom, Crosslink, Charles River, XG Ventures, and several angel investors. To learn more about schoolFeed, visit www.schoolfeed.com or its application on Facebook at http://apps.facebook.com/school_feed/.
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