Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Bob Kraft-backed firm Matchmine shuts down

By Mass High Tech Staff

Media analytics firm Matchmine Inc., which is partially funded by New England Patriots owner Bob Kraft and his son and Patriots president Jonathan Kraft, has abruptly shut down.

In a blog entry on the Matchmine website, CEO Mike Troiano wrote that he “got word of the decision on Friday” and told employees on Monday. The closing is effective immediately, with only “a few” employees continuing to work briefly during the transition.

The Needham-based privately held company, founded just under two years ago, developed MatchKey technology, which enables web users to develop a Media Discovery Network through delivery of personalized recommendations for information, entertainment, media and other online content.

Matchmine employed talent from former mobile marketing channel developer m-Qube Inc., with both Troiano and former m-Qube CFO David Chapman joining the company.

In the Matchmine blog, Troiano promoted the job qualifications of the company’s former employees that now enter the unemployment ranks. He also suggested that the company would consider selling the intellectual property and patent portfolio.