70,000 developers, and a broad range of institutions and enterprises, including over a dozen members of the Fortune 100's largest corporations, now use OpenLaszlo, according to Steve Ciesinski (pictured), CEO of Laszlo Systems of San Mateo, CA, which since 2000 has now received $26M to finance its Next-Generation Internet software.

New investor WI Harper Group led the $8M round completed last week, joining existing investors General Catalyst Partners, Sofinnova Ventures, Mitsui & Co. Venture Partners, and other private investors. Laszlo will use this round of funding to expand its sales and marketing initiatives, accelerate platform and product development efforts, and further strategic partner programs. The company will also continue to build on the market success to date of OpenLaszlo.

"We're delighted to have WI Harper lead this round of investment, along with the continued support of General Catalyst, Sofinnova and Mitsui," said Ciesinski. "This capital will help to drive further distribution of our platform and technology, and assist us in bringing even more new products to market."

Ciesinski noted that WI Harper Group's Managing Director, Claude Leglise, has joined Laszlo's board of directors: "Having Claude Leglise join our Board also brings great value to Laszlo. He is a respected investor in Silicon Valley with extensive international relationships, and we look forward to the lasting, positive impact he's bound to have on our company."

Leglise has a long track record in technology marketing and operations, gained during his 23-year career at Intel, including several years as Vice President of Intel Capital. At WI Harper, Leglise specializes in capitalizing on cross-border growth opportunities between the U.S. and Greater China.

"Laszlo's success to date is impressive and the company possesses all the crucial elements for continued growth: market readiness, proven adoption, ability to execute and future vision," said Leglise. "We look forward to working with Laszlo's seasoned management to realize the potential of this company and its technology in the rapidly expanding market of rich web applications."