Mobile: AirPlay Receives $14M Series B Funding

Author: by Justin Davis, Modojo.com

Mobile start-up AirPlay announced today that it has received $14 million in series B funding. The company is developing technology and applications to allow TV viewers to interact with live TV broadcasts in real-time via their handset. The funding came from telecom giants Qualcomm & Motorola, and venture capital firms JK&B Capital, ONSET Ventures and Redpoint Ventures. AirPlay also announced that JK&B general partner Ali Shadman will be joining the AirPlay Board of Directors. "AirPlay has a completely unique and transformative offering that stands to change the way we experience traditional television,” Shadman said. “We believe the possibilities are endless for growing their service across many different types of content programming and live events." The first demonstration of AirPlay's technology outside of a closed setting occurred in August, when the company delivered Emmys AirPlay Live from Sprint, which allowed viewers to predict winners and losers, view commentary and answer trivia questions on their phone, while watching the live broadcast. AirPlay believes that AirPlay Live Football, unveiled in September, will be the company's flagship product. It allows football fans to make real-time play predictions from their phones during live broadcasts of this season’s professional football games.