Bangalore: Natick, MA based Vivox which provides online games, virtual worlds and other online communities with integrated voice chat, has secured $6.8 million from a third round of equity financing. This round of funding is led by IDG Ventures along with the participation of Benchmark Capital, Canaan Partners and GrandBanks Capital.

According to the company, with the support of IDG Ventures and the other investors, Vivox plans to make voice part of more and more shared experiences online for its customers. Providing the managed voice service, Vivox connects people and communities across multiple platforms including PC, game consoles and Web-based social networks such as Facebook. Founded in 2005, the Vivox Network provides an unmatched set of features that improve the user experience, and offers revenue opportunities for clients through voice-based virtual goods. Vivox customers and partners include leaders in online games and virtual worlds such as CCP Games, Electronic Arts, Gaia Online, Hi-Rez Studios, IMVU, Linden Lab, NCsoft, Nexon, Realtime Worlds, Sony Online Entertainment, Wizards of the Coast, and many others.

"By delivering billions of minutes of voice per month to millions of users, we have seen first-hand how voice improves online communities," said Rob Seaver, Co-Founder and CEO of Vivox. "The web is increasingly social, and talking to each other is how we, as humans, interact. Voice is an essential part of the explosive growth of the social web. This fundamental trend translates into an immense opportunity for Vivox." Also Monty Sharma is the Co-founder and Vice President Product Management and Marketing of the company.

"Through the IDG group of companies, we have a combination of insight and analysis into the most important trends in the digital age. Voice is the key ingredient missing from a huge range of online experiences, and Vivox has proven itself able to provide mission-critical voice and exceptional service to leading companies around the world. I look forward to working closely with the team at Vivox to seize this tremendous opportunity," said Phil Sanderson, Managing Director of IDG Ventures San Francisco and newly appointed Vivox board member.