SocialKaty, Inc., a Chicago-based social media marketing company that leverages technology to manage online communities for businesses, announced it has secured Series A funding from technology investment firm Lightbank.

Founded in 2010, SocialKaty is on pace to double in size by the end of 2012, as more businesses seek assistance implementing cross-platform social media strategies. The investment from Lightbank will allow the company to continue to meet growing demand from corporate and non-profit clients that include nationwide consumer packaged goods companies, restaurant chains and retailers.

“SocialKaty provides unique social media marketing services which are undeniably becoming an integral part of every business,” said Lightbank partner Paul Lee. “The SocialKaty team is made up of the kind of people we want to get behind, and we are looking forward to partnering with them to continue their success.”

SocialKaty co-founders Craig Ulliott and Katy Lynch created the concept after working together at Where I’ve Been – a company Ulliott started in 2007, funded by Lightbank, and acquired by TripAdvisor (NASDAQ: TRIP). Lessons learned from managing Where I’ve Been’s 10 million users provided a foundation to launch their own agency focused on growing companies through social media channels. SocialKaty relies on custom management tools to monitor brands, interact with online communities and deliver strategic insight to improve click-through and conversion rates.

“This investment from Lightbank allows our team to accelerate growth into new markets in need of scalable online marketing solutions,” said Ulliott. “Our typical package is about half the cost of hiring a full-time community manager, and with actual measurable results it’s a no-brainer for our clients.”

Since launching, SocialKaty has built a team of experienced community managers who have designed and implemented hundreds of creative campaigns to increase fans and followers, raise brand awareness and drive the bottom line for their national and international clients.

“As the need for social media has grown over the last two years, SocialKaty has helped a variety of Chicago-based companies. Now we’re expanding outside Chicago with clients on both coasts and even internationally,” said Lynch. “We are thrilled for the opportunity to work with Lightbank to grow our service offering, especially as we continue to sign up new clients every few weeks and hire staff to keep up.”