A Derby firm which has developed a new payment platform for the games industry has secured another six-figure funding boost.
Transaction Technologies, based at the Derwent Business Centre, in Clarke Street, has received a £200,000 investment from the Midlands Engine Investment Fund (MEIF).
It has secured the cash from its Concept and Early Stage Fund, which is managed by Mercia.
The company has developed a new platform, which will target the multi-billion-dollar market for in-game downloads.
Called PlayerLands, it allows players to buy virtual goods within games and is one of the few systems that will accept payments in real money rather than cryptocurrencies.
The platform provides a secure payment system that makes it easier to buy and sell virtual products online and for developers to set up their own stores, market their goods and manage their businesses.
The latest funding round will allow the firm to finalise and launch its platform, while creating four new jobs in Derby for developers and customer service staff.
Transaction Technologies was set up by serial entrepreneurs Alex Booth and Nick Gillett.
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Mr Booth has worked as a consultant in the gaming industry while Mr Gillett is a games industry journalist and former Guardian columnist who has successfully exited previous start-ups.
Having secured an initial £200,000 investment from MEIF to build the platform, the entrepreneurs have now successfully integrated it with the leading payment systems and are in discussions with a number of games developers.
Mr Gillett said: “The games business, and especially the highly social world of server-based games, have been growing rapidly for years.
“We make it easy for developers and server owners to monetise their services, leaving them to concentrate on making the best entertainment.”
Sandy Reid, investment director at Mercia, said: "Online gaming is an exciting sector that has grown significantly during the global lockdown.
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“Transaction Technologies is filling a gap in the market for a secure and professional payment system.
“We are pleased to further support the business with this latest investment, which will allow it to launch PlayerLands and to capitalise on the favourable market conditions.”
Sajeeda Rose, chief executive at D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “Our area has a thriving creative and digital industry and I’m pleased to see continued investment by the MEIF into innovative businesses such as Transaction Technologies, which can help drive our economic recovery by creating high-skilled jobs in our region.”