text: Chicago-based social app developer Spartz has closed $8 million in Series A funding. Garland Capital Group, former PepsiCo President John Compton and media executive Charlie Anderson participated in the round. Also, Compton and Garland Capital CEO Gary Holdren, will join Spartz’s board of directors.
  Chicago – October 31, 2013 – Chicago-based developer Spartz Inc. has raised an $8 million Series A investment from Garland Capital Group, bringing the company’s funding to date to $9.5 million. Spartz specializes in growing multi-platform digital properties, and its current portfolio of products is used by more than 15 million people each month.
  “We’re pioneering a model that uses predictive science to measure the viral potential of websites and apps,” said Spartz Inc. CEO Emerson Spartz. “Garland shares in our vision, and we’re excited to have them on board as a partner.”
  With destinations that include OMG Facts, MuggleNet, and SmartphOWNED, Spartz Inc. applies its viral growth model to its network of nearly two dozen websites and apps with the goal of launching one new property per month.
  The investment came through Garland Media, a subsidiary of Garland Capital Group. Garland Capital CEO Gary Holdren participated in the round alongside former PepsiCo President John Compton and media executive Charlie Anderson. As part of the deal, Holdren and Compton will join the Spartz board of directors.
  “Spartz has cracked the code on driving digital audiences in a way that engages them and keeps them coming back for more,” said Holdren. “There is a tremendous opportunity to apply this formula in new and innovative ways as audiences continue to expand to mobile, and we’re looking forward to seeing what the next chapter brings.”
  Emerson Spartz co-founded the company in 2009 with wife and business partner Gaby Spartz. They were both named to Inc. Magazine’s prestigious 30 Under 30 in May 2013. A serial entrepreneur, Emerson Spartz founded MuggleNet.com, the No. 1 Harry Potter website, at the age of 12.
  Spartz Inc. is a Chicago-based social app developer whose products, including OMG Facts, SmartphOWNED and MuggleNet, are used by more than 15 million people each month across nearly two dozen websites, mobile sites and apps. For more information, visit http://www.spartzinc.com.
  Garland Capital Group is a Chicago-based investment firm that supports growth-stage companies. Garland creates opportunities for companies to successfully launch industry-disrupting products and services in traditional markets. While investing financially, Garland is also involved in the process of collaborating and teaching entrepreneurs how to run their businesses, lead teams, build a client or customer base and know when to scale. Visit http://www.garlandcg.com for more information.