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Carbonite, a Boston online backup service company for users of Mac and Windows, came up with an additional funding worth $20 million. San Francisco’s Crosslink Capital joined the company’s previous investors in the round of funding that came after the online backup service provider successfully raised a total of $47 million worth of funding, including a 2008 Series C round of funding that saw the participation of big companies like the 3i Group, Menlo Ventures, CommonAngels and Performance Equity.

Founded in 2005 by David Friend, who is also the company CEO, and Jeff Flowers, Carbonite has been recognized for its excellent service. It has received recognition as PC Pro’s “Labs Winner,” Lifehacker’s “Best Windows Backup Tool,” and was the recipient of NextAdvisor’s “Editor’s Choice.” It is also recognized as being the pioneer online backup company that offered fixed price unlimited backup space.

Carbonite provides online backup by installing a small software program on computers. This software’s main aim is to look for files—either new ones or those that have been changed—to backup. It encrypts files two times before creating a secure backup. The encrypted files are stored in the company’s highly secure data center so that nobody else can see them except the file owner. Carbonite only works when your computer is idle, so it does not interrupt your work and does not affect your Internet connection.

Named after the substance that froze Han Solo in the movie Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back, Carbonite has provided backup service for over 25 billion files and helped restore lost files totaling to over 2 billion. In fact, Carbonite has agreements with internationally renowned companies like Packard Bell, Acer and Lenovo for pre-installed online backup service on selected PCs. Last 2009, the company introduced to the public a Mac version of their service that can be used for Intel-based Macs attached to the 10.4 and 10.5 OS.

Mint.com is the nation’s leading online personal finance service. The site is great example of how a quality product speaks for itself. Mint.com has a user base of approximately 1.4 million up 400,000 since March 2009. The system itself utilizes a tracking system that records data of around $175 billion in transactions and $47 billion in assets.

All of Mint.com’s hard work and quality service has paid off with $14 million in Series C funding. The funding led by DAG Ventures represents a portion of the $30 million in total funding raised. A recent release of their iPhone app has been ranked #1 in the iTunes finance category.

Aaron Patzer, Mint.com’s CEO recognizes that their current success comes during hard times in the economy. Their connection to helping personal finance and online reputation as one of the top financial resources has given them the ability to execute and prepare for the future.

Mint.com will continue to pursue technological improvements to their system to keep users active and increase their overall user base. Their team has stated that the funds will be allocated to expanding Mint’s already award-winning team, particularly its engineering staff, and to accelerate product upgrades and new partnership launches scheduled for the next 6-12 months.

Symantec and LifeLock are uniting their cause to make your online and offline experience safer by creating a limited edition Norton AntiVirus with a free 30 day trial membership to LifeLock. This is also accompanied with a 10 percent off extended membership and throws in two movie tickets.

LifeLock has had great success in raising funds. The initially kicked off with 2 million in seed funding, then in early 2006 locked in approximately $4.5 million in venture funding from Bessemer Venture Partners. LifeLock in the spring of 2007 raised $6 million in Series B funding from Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, followed by $25 million in Series-C funding led by the Goldman Sachs Group Inc.

Both of these companies in the short term should see a nice bump in sales and hopefully with positive customer feedback these sales will hold for the 3rd and 4th quarter, and continue on into 2010.

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Google has officially rolled out their new $100 million dollar venture fund. Google’s Rich Miner said “Just as we were founded by entrepreneurs, we think we can help some of those next entrepreneurs with the next great idea.” Rich Miner and Bill Maris will be heading up the fund as managing partners.

The fund will be geared towards early-stage companies seeking seed founding. The fund’s investments will range from $10,000+ to $10,000,000+. Google states that they will also work with companies that have already received some funding from venture capital companies.

The new fund provides Google with a centralized funding group for smaller investments. Larger investments will still be managed by David Lawee from Google’s corporate development group. Prior, Google has invested in companies from several different departments including the Google.org group. The $100 million is earmarked for expenditure over the next 12-months. Most agree that relatively speaking a $100 million fund is relatively small. At any time Google corporate may choose to increase the fund budget.

So far the Google fund has seeded two companies which include Pixazza (”AdSense for images”) and Silver Spring Networks (smart grid technology).

Google may acquire companies via Google Ventures, but at this time it seems that the primary intent is to focus on seed investments.

We face the worst economic conditions since World War II. The crash of our major lending institutions, the stock market, and the portfolio value of America’s wealthy has taken a nasty toll on our nation’s liquidity.

I know plenty of folks with a net worth ranging from $500,000 - $2,500,000. Most of my friends and colleagues in this bracket have lost somewhere between 25-75% of their net worth in the last 6-months. This bucket of investors have tightened up their wallets and purse strings and are the least likely to invest into a new or existing venture.

People with a net worth of $2.5 million+ are just as cautious, but will invest if the model looks right, especially right now since most of the real losses have came and went.

Generally, smart investors appreciate a conservative business model, and expect to see the business losing money for the first 12-18 months. Now, these investors are looking for a “sure thing” and a “no risk.” Obviously, every new business is a risk. To attract investors I suggest the following:

1) Build a business that can achieve quick profits

Investors want to see value, and returns. If you have a solid model that shows a quick profit turnaround you are more likely to get interest. Your business model should show profitability occurring within 6-months.

2) Seek short-term loans and offer convertible stock or notes with a 10-25% coupon

Many investors are looking to make a quick buck, with low risk. Look for a 6-12 month loan, and offer a competitive interest rate. A 15-25% annualized return is compelling, competitive, and not overly aggressive. I prefer balloon payments to maintain cash reserves. You must maintain up to date financials, technical appraisals, etc., to ensure you maximize your business valuation. Give your investors the option to convert their loan sum into company stock or notes. The coupon allows them to “buy-in” at a discount.

3) Focus on what you know, and tout your background and historical results

Investors want security, and a track record. This is not the best climate to venture outside of your comfort zone. If you have a background in developing successful IT sourcing companies, then you should consider sticking in relevant industries. Now is not the time to pitch a frozen foods idea. Make sure your bio resonates well with your pitch concept. Keep your Executive Summary to 2-3 pages tops, and make sure your bio is included.

4) Stay away from losing industries

Stay away from industries that have been hit hard by the economy. Real estate startups (note: there are many opportunities here, but you should be very selective - added per commenter suggestions, and my agreement), mortgage lending, landscaping business, etc. are all tied to the broken real estate market, and savvy investors will run for the hills if you pitch these businesses. Try to focus on businesses that thrive and flourish in a down economy, i.e. A/R factoring, foreclosure rescure kits, etc.

5) Create quick wins, and get testimonials

Nothing compares to investor trackrecord. Once you’ve successfully re-paid investors, or have converted debt to equity, it is vital to get written testimonials. Approaching new investors with early wins builds confidence and security with your new investors. This is also cruical for refinancing existing debts, especially if you have upcoming balloon payments. It’s a good strategy to raise money even when you have cash reserves. This makes paying your investors back much easier, and sets the stage for easier funds down the round.