iPhone gaming firm Scoreloop has announced a $2.8 million funding round from existing investor Target Partners, and new backer Earlybird Venture Capital.

The company has been touting its platform - also called Scoreloop - for iPhone developers to put social features in their games.

The company says it has more than 500 registered developers, while 40 Scoreloop-enabled games are available in the App Store.

According to Scoreloop, the funding round will aid the development of the platform, including taking it to other mobile devices, while also boosting its international business development activities.

"We are thrilled to be working with two of Europe’s premier and best-networked VCs," says CEO Marc Gumpinger (pictured). Scoreloop raised seed funding earlier this year.

However, there is no shortage of competition for Scoreloop’s technology. Rival platforms targeting iPhone games developers include OpenFeint, AGON Online, Plus+, Crystal and GameSpy.