SCVNGR LevelUp Raises $12 Million

SCVNGR, makers of the location-based social game SCVNGR, and LevelUp, the app that lets users pay by phone, announced that it has 12 million in funding with participation from existing investors Highland Capital Partners, Google Ventures, Balderton Capital, and new investors Continental Investors and Transmedia Capital.

Part of a larger round of fundraising, the $12 million in financing will support the growth of LevelUp, the mobile payment app which is now available at more than 3,000 merchant partners in 8 U.S. cities, including well-known fast-casual chains like boloco, Johnny Rockets, and Ben & Jerry’s. LevelUp has nearly 200,000 users who are spending at a volume of $2 million per month with the app, and the fundraising round at large will be focused on the product’s nationwide expansion.

“LevelUp adds tremendous value for both merchants and consumers and has quickly accelerated to become a leading player in a highly competitive space,” said Google Ventures Partner Rich Miner. “We’re impressed by the product’s success to date and are excited to provide additional support as LevelUp scales nationally and the mobile payments industry continues to evolve at a fast pace.”

Launched by Boston-based SCVNGR in July 2011, LevelUp enables its users to pay with their phones by linking their credit or debit card to the app and scanning it at checkout. In turn, businesses on LevelUp are able to attract new customers with incentives while motivating them to become regular customers with loyalty rewards.

LevelUp is also expanding its staff to accommodate the product’s rapid growth, adding 40 new recruits to its sales team in recent months. At the executive level, LevelUp has also appointed Paul Purcell of Continental, a participant in the $12 million funding round , as an observer on the Board of Directors.