If its founders, a group of former Nokia employees, aren’t enough of an indication that Penthera Partners is poised to become a major player in mobile media, then successful financing since it was founded in 2005 should do the trick. Or just give the technology a glimpse: the company’s Virtuoso software, mobile devices act like on-the-go digital video recorders for content. The company is the fifth startup of Pittsburgh entrepreneur Sam Leinhardt.

Like they would a DVR, users can program their mobile device by going to a web site with a catalog of available content, similar to iTunes.  Virtuoso uses a wireless mobile network to send files to devices during non-peak hours, and Penthera’s servers host and store the catalog of content, allowing users to log on to program their desired content onto their device.  A user’s handset will wake up and regularly connect to Penthera’s server to download new content.

The software underwent extensive development and testing by tier-1 network operators and brand-name content studios across a variety of smartphone platforms. In addition to regular, healthy doses of venture capital investment, Penthera has received $300,000 from Ben Franklin Technology Partners Innovation Works, including a $50,000 boost in late 2009. The company employs nearly 20 people at its headquarters in Pittsburgh and is in constant hiring mode when the right people come along.