Funding Roundup

WiMax, carrier software, and a text message "flirting" service make the scene in this week's VC roundup.

PicoChip Designs: Picochip has grabbed $27 million in a fourth round of funding.

The round was led by Highland Capital Partners and bolstered by undisclosed strategic investors. This Bath, England-based wireless chip startup designs silicon used in WiMax base stations and mini 3G femtocell units. Like other WiMax startups, such as Beceem Communications Inc. and Sequans Communications , the firm has received its largest round ever this time out. (See Friday Funding Roundup.

Rupert Baines, marketing VP at PicoChip, says the company currently has "no plans" to raise another round but wouldn't comment further on what's next for the firm. The silicon startup has so far raised $70.5 million in total funding.

Visage Mobile: Visage Mobile closed a $10 million series E round this week. The round was led by UMC Capital.

The San Francisco-based subscriber management software firm says it will use the new money to add new services for its customers. The firm numbers firms like Disney Mobile and Embarq Corp. (NYSE: EQ) on that list.

Visage has so far raised $93 million since 2001 inception.

Handmade Mobile Entertainment Ltd: This London-based social networking firm has, er, scored £2 million (US$3.9 million) in funding for its "flirtomatic" service, which allows you to try and chat people up online or via text messages. [Ed note: GET YR COAT LUV, U'VE PULLED.]

Seraphim Capital led the round, which was also joined by all existing investors.

— Dan Jones, Site Editor, Unstrung