JumpStart raises $13 mln in venture debt led by Hercules Technology Growth Capital

JumpStart, an educational game developer, has raised $13 million in debt financing led by Hercules Technology Growth Capital. The investment will help JumpStart expand beyond its brand portfolio into other products in the children and family space.

Press Release

JumpStart (also known as Knowledge Adventure), a pioneering educational game developer that publishes entertaining and award-winning mobile and web products for children, announced today that it has raised $13 million in debt financing led by Hercules Technology Growth Capital, Inc. (NYSE: HTGC), the leading specialty finance company focused on providing senior secured loans to venture capital-backed companies in technology-related markets.

“Hercules is the type of venture capital partner all companies in our industry want to have because they know our sector and believe in our vision,” said JumpStart Chief Executive Officer David Lord. “Their investment, coupled with additional funds from Telesoft Partners, is coming at the perfect time — a time when we are looking to expand beyond our current brand portfolio into other products within the children and family space. It puts JumpStart in an advantageous financial position which will help advance our goals of solidifying our position as the leader in educational gaming.”

“We are pleased to help provide the financing required to advance JumpStart’s efforts to expand its product offerings and achieve its growth objectives,” said Roy Liu, managing director at Hercules. “With a talented management team, well-designed and imaginative games and strong brand, we believe JumpStart has a long and bright future ahead of it.”

More information about JumpStart and its current brand portfolio is available at http://www.JumpStart.com.

About JumpStart
Since 1991, JumpStart (also known as Knowledge Adventure) has set the standard in kids’ educational games by making learning fun, and has been designing games under its two flagship brands JumpStart® and Math Blaster®. Over its 20-year history, JumpStart has remained dedicated to producing quality educational products, earning the trust of millions of teachers, parents, and respected organizations such as Common Sense Media and The National Parenting Center. Also, the company partners with world-renown brands such as DreamWorks Animation to develop various educational mobile and web browser games, including Madagascar Preschool Surf N’ Slide and School of Dragons®, the ever-popular educational massively multiplayer online role-playing game. A subsidiary of Knowledge Holdings, Inc., the company is privately held and based in Torrance, CA. For more information, go to http://www.JumpStart.com.

About Hercules Technology Growth Capital, Inc.
Hercules Technology Growth Capital, Inc. (NYSE:HTGC) is a leading specialty finance company focused on providing senior secured loans to venture capital-backed companies in technology-related markets, including technology, biotechnology, life science, and energy and renewable technology industries, at all stages of development. Since inception (December 2003), Hercules has committed more than $4.0 billion to over 265 companies and is a lender of choice for entrepreneurs and venture capital firms seeking growth capital financing.