ThisNext Buys StyleHive

Santa Monica, Calif.–based shopping social-networking Web site ThisNext (www.thisnext.com) has acquired rival StyleHive (www.stylehive.com), based in San Francisco, for an undisclosed sum.

ThisNext also announced the launch of a new parent company, Curatemedia, which will operate both Web sites.

Both sites focus on a global community of users engaging in the latest fashion and shopping trends.

“These announcements strengthen the company’s leadership position in social shopping and are the first steps toward developing a network of vertically focused social shopping sites,” said Scott Morrow, president and chief executive officer of Curatemedia, in a statement.

ThisNext also announced that it raised a Series C round of funding from Clearstone Venture Partners, Anthem Venture and Lightspeed Venture Partners. According to the company, the investment will be used to build additional shopping tools and to further develop commerce functionality.—Connie Cho