Hotlinks Nets $2M Seed Round

Another early-stage company has raised venture capital without having to divulge the full scale of its product.

Hotlinks, a new company in the midst of developing an Internet navigation system that aggregates Web sites and eases navigation, recently raised $2 million in its Series A financing from @Ventures, the venture capital arm of CMGI.

“They allow people to build personal directories where they can go out and cut different pieces of the Web into their own search engine,” said Jon Callaghan, an @Ventures partner and Hotlinks board member.

The company’s service, which focuses on the personal interests, knowledge and favorite Web sites of its users, creates a simpler way to navigate the Internet. Abrams said the idea came from experiences gathered during his time as an engineer at Netscape.

The Mountain View, Calif.-based company has slated proceeds from the financing to build out the corporate infrastructure and prepare for a full product launch later this quarter, said Jonathon Abrams, founder of Hotlinks. Following initial expenditures on marketing and hiring additional staff, Abrams said the company will follow an aggressive fundraising program, although he would not disclose details.

“A portion will go into initial marketing plans, but we will have a different plan following the launch,” Abrams said.