Yahoo! Inc. [YHOO] has lost a lot of talent in the past six months, some forced out as the company sought to shed some excess baggage accumulated over the years, others leaving on their own due to the uncertain future at the company in light of Microsoft Corp.'s [MSFT] hostile pursuit. But some former employees are proving there is life after Yahoo!, and are trying to make a name for themselves in the online display advertising world, an area where Yahoo! still has a strong presence.
Brand.net, an online advertising start-up that is led by a number of former Yahoo! executives, on Tuesday announced it has raised $10 million in Series B funding. The round was led by Norwest Venture Partners, with reinvestment from InterWest Partners. The company said it will use the money to fund technology innovation for its customer base.
Brand.net works with global brands on advertising strategies, helping them secure inventory to reach their target audiences. Its CEO, Elizabeth Blair, was senior vice president of business operations at Yahoo from 2003 to 2007, while its COO, Andy Atherton, was previously vice president of global pricing and yield management for Yahoo!. Brand.net previously raised $3 million in first round funding from InterWest Partners in November of last year. -- David Shabelman
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