Hiptop creator secures $35m VC backing

NEWS Danger, the company behind that last year unveiled its hiptop mobile device, has raised $35m in fourth round 'Series D' venture capital funding. Meritech Capital Partners and Softbank Capital Partners stumped up half the funds, joining existing backers Mobius Venture Capital, Redpoint Ventures and Venture Strategy Partners, who contributed the rest. Danger has now raised a total of $77m. It said it still has a quarter of its previous round of VC money in the bank. The Palo Alto-based start-up now plans to offer its device to more mobile network operators. So far T-Mobile is using the product - branded as the T-Mobile Sidekick in the US - and last September Orange also agreed to offer it. Danger chairman and CEO Hank Nothhaft said he is especially pleased with the latest round given the current difficult fundraising environment.