US-based connected device technology startup Circle Media Labs raised $20m in a series B round on Friday that featured networking technology producer NetGear and mobile network operator T-Mobile.
Venture capital firms Third Venture Capital and Relay Ventures also took part in the round, as did unnamed existing investors.
Founded in 2014, Circle Media Labs has developed a platform that enables users to control and manage every wifi-connected device in the household through a mobile app.
Paarents can filter content, put a time limit on screens, set a bedtime for each family member and keep track of all internet traffic.
The company also provides Cirlce Go to allow users to manage their family’s mobile devices and browsing history outside of the home and on any network.
The series B capital will be used to fund Circle’s brand awareness and expand its product offering.
In July 2018, mass media company Sky made a $2m strategic investment in Circle Media Labs.
Circle Media Labs had previously collected $10m in a series A round led by Relay Ventures, which invested alongside an unnamed private equity firm, in 2017 and $1.5m in angel funding in 2015.
Lance Charlish, co-founder and chief executive of Circle, said: “There is a pressing need for parents to have an easy-to-use solution to manage screen time for their family.
“This investment supports our company’s goal to build brand awareness and inform consumers that Circle is the most comprehensive solution for families in an increasingly technology-driven world.”