Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Fanzter grows with Mustache buy

By Rodney H. Brown

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Connecticut-based new media development company Fanzter Inc. reports it has purchased Mustache Inc., a Richmond, Va.-based software development company.

According to Fanzter’s blog, Mustache’s founder Jon Maddox will join Fanzter to lead technology and product development for the Collinsville-based consumer-focused company.

Mustache is the creator of several applications for the iPhone and iPod touch platforms, as well as multiple software and web platforms. Among its products are Brackets, launched in March around the NCAA Men’s College Basketball Tournament, and Summizer, a Twitter search and tracking application.

According to Fanzter, they join Coolspotters, the celebrity style and entertainment platform Fanzter launched in May of 2008.

Aaron LaBerge, a former senior VP of technology and product development for ESPN.com, founded Fanzter in June 2007. In a previous interview, he said he plans to create websites featuring online communities to generate revenue from advertising and e-commerce.

The company has attracted nearly $2 million in Series A funding. Investors include Seattle-based venture capital firms Second Avenue Partners and Curious Office Partners; Seattle-based investor Richard Barton, founder of Expedia Inc. and CEO of real estate website Zillow.com; and several angel investors whom LaBerge declined to identify.