LONDON, April 12 -- DB Venture Partners is providing $3 million in private placement financing to GOU Lite Ltd., an Israeli company specializing in optical laser technology. DB Venture Partners, the European venture capital arm of DB Capital Partners, led the financing round with its US sister fund, ABS Ventures, the venture capital arm of Deutsche Banc Alex Brown. The funding will be used to support GOU Lite's development of its flagship product, the Virtual Pen, and to facilitate the company's strategic cooperation with cellular operators and handset manufacturers in Europe, Asia and the US. STI Ventures and Startupfactory previously invested $4 million in GOU Lite.
    The Virtual Pen, designed by IDEO, designer of the Palm V and Visor, is a digital pen input device that enables text and signature input as well as full navigation control. Used on any surface, this Bluetooth-supported product greatly enhances users' interaction with their mobile handsets, PDAs, PCs and I-TVs.