Social networking start-up Masala Inc. has snagged $4.5 million in Series A funding from VantagePoint Venture Partners, according to a regulatory filing cited by PEHub.

Amra Tareen, a former partner at venture capital firm Sevin Rosen Funds, is behind San Francisco-based Masala Inc.

Social networking consultant Erik Sundelof is also involved in the new venture.

Amra’s background is in telecom, having worked previously at Lucent and Ascend Communications.

Originally from Pakistan, Tareen holds a BS in electrical engineering and computer science from the University of New South Wales, Australia, and an MBA from Harvard.