BlackBerry fund gives mobile shopping mall Digby $5.5 million

Internet Retailer

The BlackBerry Partners Fund LP, a $150 million venture capital fund formed to focus on applications and services for the BlackBerry and other mobile platforms, has signaled m-commerce is an industry to watch—and is putting its money where its mouth is.

With thousands of applications from which to choose, the fund decided on an initial three, including mobile shopping mall Digby Inc. The fund has granted Digby $5.5 million in Series B Preferred Stock with the BlackBerry Partners Fund and existing BlackBerry shareholders.

“Around the world, people are becoming increasingly reliant on mobile devices in every facet of their lives, whether for business or personal use,” says Kevin Talbot, co-managing partner of the fund. “To capitalize on this unprecedented market opportunity, the fund is helping entrepreneurs drive innovation and develop cutting-edge mobile applications and services with a compelling user experience. Our goal is to be the primary destination for entrepreneurs that are building behavior-changing smartphone applications and that are determined to be the architects of the mobile ecosystem of the future.”

Digby hosts shops for various retailers, including FTD Flowers, Godiva Chocolatier, Vermont Teddy Bear and Capalbo’s Giftbaskets. It also builds m-commerce sites and downloadable mobile applications for retailers.

“We’re thrilled to be working with the BlackBerry Partners Fund to advance our business to the next level,” says Dave Sikora, founder and CEO of Digby. “Their knowledge of the mobile market and experience with building successful companies will play a critical role as we expand our marketing and sales activities.”

The fund, started in May, also invested in buzzd, a location-sensitive city guide and social network for mobile devices, and WorldMate, a mobile travel company targeting frequent flyers and road warriors.