Zeebo, a US-based educational and entertainment games console manufacturer backed by Qualcomm, has secured $17m in funding from undisclosed investors, according to a filing with the US Securities and Exchanges Commission.
Zeebo had previously raised $13.5m in equity funding in June 2010. Although the backers were similarly undisclosed, the company emerged out of the US division of Brazil-based video game and electronics company Tectoy with initial support from US-based telecommunications company Qualcomm.
The Zeebo system was designed for use in developing countries with the first consoles going on sale in Brazil, in 2009. The system was intended to combine entertainment and educational content as well as wireless internet for an affordable price.
Currently, Zeebo has withdrawn its system from Brazilian and Mexican stores as part of a strategic realignment with the company, though Zeebo is working on what it calls a ‘next generation system’ for release in 2012.