“People often tell us, ‘Facebook has $15 billion dollar.’ My answer, ‘Great, but what does that do for you? If you were a shareholder in Facebook, wouldn’t you be a little happier?’ ” -Craig Agranoff on Facebook vs. VOIS

I just confirmed over the phone that VOIS, the only publicly traded social network operating out of the United States, has secured a round of funding from a Wall Street investment bank. The sum is rumored to be on the order of $1 Million.

If you don’t remember, VOIS is a social network geared towards adults ages 25-50. Last week, I spotlighted them in my Lessons From Entrepreneurs series.

As for the money, what I was able to get from them is that much of it will be used to further the companies marketing efforts. Up until now, they have managed to create one of the stronger adult oriented Social Networks on what can only be described as a “shoestring” budget.

One VOIS

What’s interesting about VOIS is how they have approached the Social Networking market. The space is flooded with niche players offering basically the same product, the Holy Grail has always been finding a way of separating your network from the pack.

Where some networks rely on technology or gimmicks, what has always struck me about VOIS is that their focus has been on the one thing that matters — service.

They claim that they answer every single question that users direct towards them, and from what I can see this is completely true. Most of the sites features were created because users requested them. They entire product design cycle, in fact, is focused on giving users what they want when they want it.

Web 2.0 Roundup

In a market that grows more dense by the day, even good networks have a uphill battle to fight. Hopefully, this cash infusion will help them devise a strategy to get VOIS into the hearts and minds of the notoriously fickle niche Social Networking crowd.

If you haven’t had a chance to see VOIS yet, now would be a great time to give it a look.

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