Thumbplay raises $18 million for wireless entertainment

Venture Beat — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 18:51:59 -0700

Thumbplay sells ringtones, videos, games and graphic for your cellular phone and claims to have over 43,000 downloadable items.

Using a credit-based system, Thumbplay keeps transactions simple. For example, all ringtones are simply one credit. The company also offers the option of monthly memberships that allocate credits to users every month and offer special deals.

Entertainment content on cellular phones is big business. Last year, Vringo raised $12 million to expand its cellular music video operation (our coverage).

The $18 million E round is coming in from a number of investors including Softbank Capital in Newton Center, MA, i-Hatch Ventures in New York, NY and Verizon Investments in Wilmington, DE.

Thumplay is based out of New York, NY.