MySapient, a virtual gaming site set to go live later this year, has received £610,000 in a funding round led by NorthStar Equity Investors.

The venture capital firm contributed £420,000 to the round, with the balance coming from management and directors of MySapient.

NorthStar investment manager Michelle Cooper, who helped negotiate the deal, says, "MySapient has developed a hugely innovative gaming platform which also taps into the social networking market."

Cooper adds that the Newcastle-based firm originally invested £60,000 in the business through its Proof of Concept Fund in 2007. Its latest investment is from its Co-Investment Fund. Both funds are part-financed by the European Union.