Vantrix Raises $12M for Mobile Media

Vantrix, which helps content providers like ABC News get rich media onto mobile phones, has raised $12 million in Series B funding from JK&B Capital, SummerHill Venture Partners, Entrepia Ventures, BDC Venture Capital, and Innovacom.

Vantrix’ advantage is its server transcodes rich media files to be appropriate for the disparate requirements of various cell phones, rolling in things like digital rights management and sample previewing with a file before sending it on its way. In addition to content providers, Vantrix also counts network operators such as AT&T, T-Mobile in Europe, and Orange UK as clients.

While this might not be a huge business, there are healthy niche opportunities and acquisition possibilities for companies who enable customers to acquire a new skill set, like mobile. See, for instance, this week’s purchase of Schematic, a startup that enables digital media services, by WPP, the ad giant.

Vantrix CEO Manish Jha, who joined the company earlier this year, is best known for being general manager for ESPN Mobile, the failed real-time scores and video service.

New York City-based Vantrix, which was previously called VoiceAge Networks and based in Montreal, raised $12 million in Series A funding in 2005. The company said it would use the additional funding announced today to pay for global expansion, infrastructure strengthening, and research and development.

Also today, Tapioca Mobile, a San Diego-based mobile rich multimedia messaging startup, said it had received seed funding from Venrock.