With seed funding from a state-backed venture capital fund, a Ridgefield startup is readying more apps to inspire teen girls and young women to become tomorrow”™s leaders and power brokers.
Last month, Connecticut Innovations Inc. invested an undisclosed amount in Stone Creek Entertainment Inc., plowing $450,000 in total into it and two other startups:
Ӣ Combat2Career, helping veterans apply to higher education programs; and
Ӣ Grey Wall Software L.L.C., whose web platform helps teams collaborate in crises.
Ridgefield-based Stone Creek Entertainment designs mobile and social network games geared to teen girls and women. The company says it has developed and launched three games so far, including one that is in the top 100 in many countries as ranked by iTunes ”“ Karizmac Luminous. Through that game, users discover what their decisions say about them and how they compare to famous female leaders.
“We like the meaningfulness of charisma”™s definition: ”˜divinely conferred gift or power,”™” said Sharon Wood, founder and CEO of Stone Creek. “Unique to the individual ”“ everyone has their own brand of charisma.”
To date, many apps targeting girls have not gone far beyond beauty that is skin deep ”“ a 2011 list published on the GeekyJournal website recommended titles such as iVanity, iManicure and iDress ”“ not to mention Face World Match for dating and Justin Bieber Trivia.
There”™s more to life, both in the real and digital worlds, Stone Creek notes.
“Partners ”¦Â like what we are doing, since our products are both digital, social-engagement tools for marketers; and empowerment vehicles for those looking to empower teen girls and women,” Wood said.
