uma Raises Funds for Semantic Media Monitoring Tool

In Austria, semantic web technology firm uma has closed a EUR 800,000 ($1.1m) funding round, which it says will help it move 'more aggressively' into the digital signage and display market.

uma recently launched a semantic display tool, called SKIN, which integrates multitouch LCD displays with the firm's semantic web content curation engine, to serve personalized content that tracks users through 3D sensor cameras. The tool feeds information to users based on their preferences, or other external, relevant events through linguistic and contextual analysis.

The firm's latest round of funding has been led by TheMerger.com, as well as a number of private European investors.

Separately, uma has appointed new Board members: Heinrich Schuster, founder and now retired Chairman of out-of-home ad firm EPAMEDIA; and Oliver Holle, CEO of TheMerger.com.

'The explosion of opportunities in the retail and corporate sectors for public display has provided a shift in the way that semantic web technology can be applied, and our recent SKIN product launch reflects this,' states uma founder Christian Doegl. 'Our new Board members are well-attuned to market trends in information display, and we are poised for greater growth and market visibility due to their wealth of shared experience.'

Web site: www.uma.at .