Handmark wraps up $5M funding deal

As the wireless industry industry gears up for the CTIA Wireless IT and Entertainment show in Los Angeles, a number of companies are preparing to announce new venture fundings. Getting a headstart on the deal disclosures is Handmark Inc., a Kansas City, Mo.-based provider of mobile content solutions.

The company is expected to announce today that it raised a $5 million Series B round led by new investors Motorola Ventures. Previous investors also participating are Apax Partners, Borealis Ventures, Village Ventures and Hanna Capital Management. The company had previously raised about $6.5 million, including a seed stage round of $1.5 million in late 2000 and a $5 million infusion in late 2005. When Apax invested last year, former partner Alan Patricof joined the Handmark board. He remains a board director.

The company’s flagship service, Handmark Pocket Express, offers access to news, reference and infotainment content on cell phones as well as BlackBerry, Treo and Windows Mobile wireless handhelds.