The Backplane, a developer of online community software, which is best known for its work creating Lady Gaga's #Little Monsters website, said Thursday that it has raised $4.5M in a funding round. The round include Sequoia Capital, Greylock Discovery Fund, Battery Ventures, Formation 8, Advance/Newhouse Investment Partnership an affiliate of Conde Nast, along with Google Ventures, Founders Fund Angel, Menlo Ventures, SV Angel, i/o Ventures and other angels. The firm is headed by Matt Michelsen, who is based in San Diego, and also includes Troy Carter--Lady Gaga's agent--who is based in Los Angeles. The firm's technology operations are in Palo Alto. More information »