Osage Ventures invests in locally-based Second Life clone

Bala Cynwid-based Osage Ventures has announced a Series A investment in ProtonMedia, a company that specializes in creating virtual worlds.
Stopping just short of calling its main product “The Matrix,” ProtonMedia’s primary product is “ProtoSphere” — a platform that customers use to hold virtual meetings and classes. The software allows for voice chat, document transfer and custom avatars, among other features.
The Lansdale-based company is already profitable, boasting some pretty large customers including Comcast and AstraZeneca.

The deal is an all-local transaction. Osage is being joined by Bethlehem’s Originate Ventures for a combined cash influx of $2.5 million. ProtonMedia says it will use the money to beef up its sales and marketing teams while improving the company’s technolgy.
The company, founded in 1998 by Temple alum Ron Burns, has been profitable for “four or five” years, launching the Protosphere in 2006.
If you’re really curious, download the demo, or see a video below of ProtonMedia’s walkthrough of their virtual world:
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