CardStore.com Secures $9.4 Million to Launch Internet Business-to-Business Service for On-Demand Printing, Mailing; Highland Capital Partners and The Roda Group Lead Investment.EMERYVILLE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 16, 1999-- CardStore.com, the online service that will offer businesses and consumers a one-stop solution for paper communications products and scalable mailing services, today announced it has received $9.4 million in financing led by Highland Capital Partners Highland Capital Partners is a global venture capital firm with offices located in Boston, Silicon Valley, Geneva, and Shanghai. Since its inception in 1988, the firm has invested in more than 180 early and growth stage companies and taken a sector-focused approach to investing in and The Roda Group. Crimson Global Internet Fund, the Company's seed investor, will also participate in this round of funding. CardStore.com expects to launch its site in the first quarter of 2000. It will be the first company to provide businesses and consumers with the ability to easily send premium quality, custom printed cards of all types on demand. The financing will be used to acquire content, complete development of the company's production and distribution infrastructure, and to build its customer base. "Our proprietary, digital end-to-end infrastructure utilizes sophisticated contact management and on-demand printing See print on demand. techniques to revolutionize the way people communicate with customers, organizations and even friends and family," said Jinee Tao, CEO (1) (Chief Executive Officer) The highest individual in command of an organization. Typically the president of the company, the CEO reports to the Chairman of the Board. and co-founder of CardStore.com. "This round of funding will allow us to compete as a leading business-to-business service that offers customers a full spectrum solution for sending high-quality, personalized per·son·al·ize tr.v. per·son·al·ized, per·son·al·iz·ing, per·son·al·iz·es 1. To take (a general remark or characterization) in a personal manner. 2. To attribute human or personal qualities to; personify. correspondence with distinction and flair not readily available elsewhere, especially in bulk mailing." "CardStore.com offers all businesses the power of one-to-one relationship marketing with the convenience of the Internet," said Jo Tango tango Spirited dance; also a South American ballroom dance. It evolved in the dance halls and, perhaps, the brothels of poorer districts of Buenos Aires, Arg., possibly influenced by the Cuban habanera. It was made popular in the U.S. , Principal of Highland Capital Partners and CardStore.com board member, whose other portfolio responsibilities include eToys (Nasdaq:ETYS), Be Free (Nasdaq:BFRE BFRE Besoin en Fonds de Roulement d'Exploitation (French: Working Capital Requirement for Exploitation) ), Send.com, Mercata, among others. Based on statistics from the U.S. Greeting Card Association The Greeting Card Association is a U.S. trade organization representing the interests of greeting cards, gift wrapping paper and stationery manufacturers. Its membership consists primarily of U.S. Publishers but foreign publishers may also become members if they so choose. and the Printing Industry of America, the company estimates that the existing markets for greeting cards See e-card. , invitations, announcements and other premium paper communications products exceeds $20 billion in the United States United States, officially United States of America, republic (2005 est. pop. 295,734,000), 3,539,227 sq mi (9,166,598 sq km), North America. The United States is the world's third largest country in population and the fourth largest country in area. alone. "As the first mover delivering an outsourced turnkey service for businesses, CardStore.com provides organizations with a fast and easy solution for better communicating with customers, employees, prospects and partners," said Roger Strauch, Senior Partner of The Roda Group, who also serves as Chairman of Ask Jeeves Noun 1. Ask Jeeves - a widely used search engine accepting plain English questions or phrases or terms trademark - a formally registered symbol identifying the manufacturer or distributor of a product , Inc. (Nasdaq:ASKJ) and Nightfire Software, Inc., and is a member of the board of diCarta, Inc. and CardStore.com. About CardStore.com CardStore.com, Inc., based in Emeryville, Calif., (www.cardstore.com) enables businesses and individuals to easily order and send premium quality, custom printed cards of all types in minimal time. By combining proprietary software, critical Web and printing technologies, and digital inventory, CardStore.com makes it convenient for businesses and consumers to correspond with a personal touch. About Highland Capital Partners Founded in 1988, Highland Capital Partners is a leading venture capital firm focused on building companies in the Internet/E-commerce, communications, information technology and medical markets. With over $500 million under management, Highland has worked with such firms as ANDA ANDA abbr. abbreviated new drug application Networks, AccessLan, Ask Jeeves, Avid Technology "Avid" redirects here. For the "Advancement Via Individual Determination" educational program, see AVID. Avid Technology, Inc NASDAQ: AVID is an American company specializing in video and audio production technology; specifically, digital non-linear media editing (NLE) , Be Free, Bolt Media, CheckFree, eToys, Gamesville.com, LivePerson, Lycos, Mainspring, MapQuest, Medscape, NextCard, RoweCom, Send.com, Staples.com, WebLine Communications and Wit Capital. For additional information, visit the company's web site at www.hcp.com or call 617/531-1500. About The Roda Group Roda Group is a venture development firm based in Berkeley, Calif. Its mission is to provide entrepreneurs with the environment and resources needed to ensure that their ideas succeed in the marketplace. The Roda Group has invested in such firms as Ask Jeeves, Nightfire, and diCarta. For additional information, visit the company's web site at www.rodagroup.com. About Crimson Global Internet Fund Crimson Global Internet Fund is an investment fund managed principally by Mr. Hiroshi Mikitani, Founder and CEO of Rakuten.co.jp, the largest business-to-consumer e-commerce site in Japan. Crimson Global Internet Fund actively invests in companies with technology platforms that hold special promise for the Japanese market. |
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