Online World

"Second Life" Online World Creators Linden Lab Raise $11 Million

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on March 29, 2006 - 9:52am.

San Francisco - Linden Lab, developer of the "Second Life" 3D online world, announced on Tuesday that it has raised $11 million in a recent round of venture capital financing. Globespan Capital Partners led the investment round; Benchmark Capital, Catamount Ventures, Omidyar Network, Amazon.com founder Jeff Bezos and Lotus founder Mitch Kapor also participated. Founded in 1999, San Francisco-based Linden Lab's "Second Life" online community, or "metaverse," now claims 165,000 residents and a virtual economy worth over $60 million per year. The company told CNET News.com it will use the funds to bolster its staff and for international expansion.