Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Glenn Close’s dog-focused website lands $4M in new funds

By Galen Moore

A Maine-based dog-owners’ e-commerce website that features actress Glenn Close as a founder and blogger has pulled down $4 million in new venture financing from two New Hampshire-based firms.

Portland-based Fetch Enterprises LLC has received $4 million in new funding from Borealis Capital Partners and Harbor Light Capital Partners to expand the website FetchDog.com.

The company was co-founded in 2008 by Close and chairman David Shaw, founder and former CEO of IDEXX Laboratories Inc. and Ikaria Holdings Inc., who is married to Close. It launched on seed funding from private investors including Close, William T. End and Benjamin Shaw through the private equity partnership called Black Point Group LP. Fetch also publishes a print dog supplies catalog.

Fetch also announced yesterday the hire of former Menupages.com executive Claude P. Sheer as CEO.

The company plans to use the funding to improve infrastructure, develop new content, entertainment and philanthropic initiatives and further expand its executive team, according to Fetch officials.

In addition to IDEXX Labs and Fetch, Shaw is a co-founder of Magen BioSciences Inc. of Cambridge, a biotech focused on developing technology to enhance the health and appearance of the skin.