The Best Buy-backed social networking platform has secured funding from investors including NetEase in a round boosting its overall funding to $77m.

IMVU, the US-headquartered operator of an avatar-based social network, has raised $35m from investors including internet company NetEase, TechCrunch reported yesterday.

Growth capital firm Structural Capital and undisclosed other investors also took part in the round, which brought the company’s total funding to $77m according to TechCrunch.

Founded in 2004, IMVU has created a video game-like platform that enables users to create 3D virtual rooms where they can chat with other users through customisable avatars. It had more than 7…