Santa Monica, Calif. - Eqal, the production company that created the Internet show "Lonelygirl15," has raised $5 million in its first round of financing, led by Spark Capital.

New York - Inform Technologies, a provider of website content management technology for established media brands, has raised $15 million in venture capital from Spark Capital, a Boston-based venture fund.

New York - A group of investment funds led by Jana Partners has taken a 21% stake in technology publisher CNET Networks (NASD: CNET), and is seeking to oust the company's current directors and take a majority of its board, The New York Times reported, citing people briefed on the proposal. Other entities involved in the proposal -- which CNET has rejected, sources told The Times -- include Sandell Asset Management, Spark Capital and entrepreneur Paul Gardi.

Boston - 5min, a website that hosts "how-to" videos, announced on Thursday that it has raised $5 million in its first round of financing, led by Spark Capital.

Los Angeles - Dozens of members of the Writers Guild of America (WGA), which is currently on strike over DVD and online payments, have formed a number of groups that are seeking venture capital investment for new businesses that will publish original content on the Web, the Los Angeles Times reports.

Denver, Colo. - Buzzwire, a provider of mobile streaming audio, video and radio services, announced on Wednesday that it has raised $8 million in its second round of venture capital financing, led by new investor Sequel Venture Partners.

New York - Tumblr, the developer of an online scrapbooking service, has raised $750,000 in first round finding from Spark Capital and Union Square Ventures, PEHub.com reported, citing a regulatory filing.

Boston - Venture capital firm Spark Capital announced on Tuesday the closing of its second fund -- called Spark II -- that will have $360 million in investment capital.

San Diego - Veoh Networks, a video-sharing site similar to YouTube, has raised around $26 million in its third round of venture capital financing, led by Goldman Sachs, PEHub.com reported.

Boulder, Colo. - Me.dium, a developer of technology that connects users who visit the same websites, announced on Monday that it has raised $15 million in its second round of venture capital financing, led by Commonwealth Venture Partners.

New York - Next New Networks, a distributor of Web video "micro-networks," announced on Thursday that it has raised $8 million in seed financing, led by Spark Capital.