By Ken Schachter

Serious, a maker of CD- and DVD-based interactive sports trading cards and gift cards, has landed a $14-million financing round.

New York-based Greenhill SAVP, which announced the funding Wednesday, led the round along with North Hill Ventures.

Serious, based in New York City, has more than 100 optical card patents in 60 countries. Its client roster includes Disney, Nickelodeon, BBC Worldwide, Virgin, ESPN, Manchester United, and Sony Pictures. It has licenses with the NFL and the NBA.

“GSAVP’s investment in Serious is consistent with the fund’s focus on technology-enabled services businesses,” Brian Hirsch, managing director of Greenhill SAVP, said in a statement.

He sees applications for Serious’ technology and intellectual property across a variety of markets including stored-value cards, direct mail, promotional marketing, and collectibles.

Bank Becomes VC

Greenhill SAVP is the first venture fund of investment bank Greenhill & Co. Greenhill SAVP’s portfolio includes financial services and energy companies.

David Brown, chief executive of Serious, said in a statement that Greenhill “will provide not only sound financial support and venture experience, but also brings a broad network of relationships with potential business partners to the table.”

Serious’ CD and DVD cards are shaped like paper trading cards, but include video and interactive features. Founded in London as Serious Sound in 1997, the company originally was a digital music production firm for film, television, and multimedia. In 2002, the company introduced CD cards to North America, notching $2 million in gross sales.