<PAGE>
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 13G
Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(Amendment No. )*
------
SOCKET COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
----------------------------------
(Name of Issuer)
Common Stock
----------------------------------
(Title of Class of Securities)
833672 10 8
----------------------------------
(CUSIP Number)
*The remainder of this cover page shall be filled out for a reporting
person's initial filing on this form with respect to the subject class of
securities, and for any subsequent amendment containing information which
would alter the disclosures provided in a prior page.
The information required in the remainder of this cover page shall not be
deemed to be "filed" for the purpose of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934 ("Act") or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section of
the Act but shall be subject to all other provisions of the Act (however, see
the Notes).
Page 1 of 13 Pages
<PAGE>
CUSIP No. 833672 10 8 13G Page 2 of 13 Pages
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Names of Reporting Persons. S.S. or I.R.S. Identification Nos. of Above
Persons
El Dorado Ventures III, L.P.
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(2) Check the Appropriate Box if a Member (a) / /
of a Group* (b) / /
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(3) SEC Use Only
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(4) Citizenship or Place of Organization
California
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number of Shares (5) Sole Voting Power
Beneficially 327,102
Owned by --------------------------------------------------
Each Reporting (6) Shared Voting Power
Person With -0-
--------------------------------------------------
(7) Sole Dispositive Power
327,102
--------------------------------------------------
(8) Shared Dispositive Power
-0-
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(9) Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person
327,102
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(10) Check Box if the Aggregate Amount in Row (9) Excludes Certain Shares*
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(11) Percent of Class Represented by Amount in Row (9)
10.8%
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(12) Type of Reporting Person*
PN
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*SEE INSTRUCTION BEFORE FILLING OUT!
<PAGE>
CUSIP No. 833672 10 8 13G Page 3 of 13 Pages
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Names of Reporting Persons. S.S. or I.R.S. Identification Nos. of Above
Persons
El Dorado Technology IV, L.P.
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(2) Check the Appropriate Box if a Member (a) / /
of a Group* (b) / /
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(3) SEC Use Only
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(4) Citizenship or Place of Organization
California
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number of Shares (5) Sole Voting Power
Beneficially 10,266
Owned by --------------------------------------------------
Each Reporting (6) Shared Voting Power
Person With -0-
--------------------------------------------------
(7) Sole Dispositive Power
10,266
--------------------------------------------------
(8) Shared Dispositive Power
-0-
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(9) Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person
10,266
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(10) Check Box if the Aggregate Amount in Row (9) Excludes Certain Shares*
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(11) Percent of Class Represented by Amount in Row (9)
0.3%
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(12) Type of Reporting Person*
PN
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*SEE INSTRUCTION BEFORE FILLING OUT!
<PAGE>
CUSIP No. 833672 10 8 13G Page 4 of 13 Pages
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Names of Reporting Persons. S.S. or I.R.S. Identification Nos. of Above
Persons
El Dorado C & L Fund, L.P.
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(2) Check the Appropriate Box if a Member (a) / /
of a Group* (b) / /
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(3) SEC Use Only
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(4) Citizenship or Place of Organization
California
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number of Shares (5) Sole Voting Power
Beneficially 6,056
Owned by --------------------------------------------------
Each Reporting (6) Shared Voting Power
Person With -0-
--------------------------------------------------
(7) Sole Dispositive Power
6,056
--------------------------------------------------
(8) Shared Dispositive Power
-0-
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(9) Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person
6,056
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(10) Check Box if the Aggregate Amount in Row (9) Excludes Certain Shares*
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(11) Percent of Class Represented by Amount in Row (9)
0.2%
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(12) Type of Reporting Person*
PN
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*SEE INSTRUCTION BEFORE FILLING OUT!
<PAGE>
CUSIP No. 833672 10 8 13G Page 5 of 13 Pages
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Names of Reporting Persons. S.S. or I.R.S. Identification Nos. of Above
Persons
El Dorado Venture Partners III
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(2) Check the Appropriate Box if a Member (a) / /
of a Group* (b) / /
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(3) SEC Use Only
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(4) Citizenship or Place of Organization
California
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number of Shares (5) Sole Voting Power
Beneficially 343,424
Owned by --------------------------------------------------
Each Reporting (6) Shared Voting Power
Person With -0-
--------------------------------------------------
(7) Sole Dispositive Power
343,424
--------------------------------------------------
(8) Shared Dispositive Power
-0-
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(9) Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person
343,424
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(10) Check Box if the Aggregate Amount in Row (9) Excludes Certain Shares*
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(11) Percent of Class Represented by Amount in Row (9)
11.3%
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(12) Type of Reporting Person*
PN
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*SEE INSTRUCTION BEFORE FILLING OUT!
<PAGE>
CUSIP No. 833672 10 8 13G Page 6 of 13 Pages
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Names of Reporting Persons. S.S. or I.R.S. Identification Nos. of Above
Persons
Shanda Bahles
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(2) Check the Appropriate Box if a Member (a) / /
of a Group* (b) / /
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(3) SEC Use Only
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(4) Citizenship or Place of Organization
United States
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number of Shares (5) Sole Voting Power
Beneficially -0-
Owned by --------------------------------------------------
Each Reporting (6) Shared Voting Power
Person With 343,424
--------------------------------------------------
(7) Sole Dispositive Power
-0-
--------------------------------------------------
(8) Shared Dispositive Power
343,424
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(9) Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person
343,424
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(10) Check Box if the Aggregate Amount in Row (9) Excludes Certain Shares*
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(11) Percent of Class Represented by Amount in Row (9)
11.3%
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(12) Type of Reporting Person*
IN
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*SEE INSTRUCTION BEFORE FILLING OUT!
<PAGE>
CUSIP No. 833672 10 8 13G Page 7 of 13 Pages
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Names of Reporting Persons. S.S. or I.R.S. Identification Nos. of Above
Persons
Gary W. Kalbach
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(2) Check the Appropriate Box if a Member (a) / /
of a Group* (b) / /
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(3) SEC Use Only
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(4) Citizenship or Place of Organization
United States
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number of Shares (5) Sole Voting Power
Beneficially -0-
Owned by --------------------------------------------------
Each Reporting (6) Shared Voting Power
Person With 343,424
--------------------------------------------------
(7) Sole Dispositive Power
-0-
--------------------------------------------------
(8) Shared Dispositive Power
343,424
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(9) Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person
343,424
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(10) Check Box if the Aggregate Amount in Row (9) Excludes Certain Shares*
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(11) Percent of Class Represented by Amount in Row (9)
11.3%
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(12) Type of Reporting Person*
IN
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*SEE INSTRUCTION BEFORE FILLING OUT!
<PAGE>
CUSIP No. 833672 10 8 13G Page 8 of 13 Pages
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Names of Reporting Persons. S.S. or I.R.S. Identification Nos. of Above
Persons
Thomas H. Peterson
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(2) Check the Appropriate Box if a Member (a) / /
of a Group* (b) / /
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(3) SEC Use Only
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(4) Citizenship or Place of Organization
United States
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number of Shares (5) Sole Voting Power
Beneficially -0-
Owned by --------------------------------------------------
Each Reporting (6) Shared Voting Power
Person With 343,424
--------------------------------------------------
(7) Sole Dispositive Power
-0-
--------------------------------------------------
(8) Shared Dispositive Power
343,424
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(9) Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person
343,424
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(10) Check Box if the Aggregate Amount in Row (9) Excludes Certain Shares*
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(11) Percent of Class Represented by Amount in Row (9)
11.5%
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(12) Type of Reporting Person*
IN
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*SEE INSTRUCTION BEFORE FILLING OUT!
<PAGE>
Page 9 of 13 Pages
ITEM 1(A). NAME OF ISSUER
Socket Communications, Inc. ("Issuer")
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ITEM 1(B). ADDRESS OF ISSUER'S PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES
6500 Kaiser Drive
Fremont, CA 94555
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ITEM 2(A). NAME OF PERSON(S) FILING
El Dorado Ventures III, L.P. ("EDV III")
El Dorado Technology IV, L.P. ("EDT IV")
El Dorado C&L Fund, L.P. ("EDC&L")
El Dorado Venture Partners III ("EDVP III")
Shanda Bahles
Gary W. Kalbach
Thomas H. Peterson
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ITEM 2(B). ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL BUSINESS OFFICE OR, IF NONE, RESIDENCE
20300 Stevens Creek Boulevard, Suite 395
Cupertino, CA 95014
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ITEM 2(C). CITIZENSHIP
Entities: EDV III - California
EDT IV - California
EDC&L - California
EDVP III - California
Individuals: Ms. Bahles - United States
Mr. Kalbach - United States
Mr. Peterson - United States
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ITEM 2(D). TITLE OF CLASS OF SECURITIES
Common Stock
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ITEM 2(E). CUSIP NUMBER
833672 10 8
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ITEM 3. IF THIS STATEMENT IS FILED PURSUANT TO RULES 13D-1(B), OR 13D-2(B),
CHECK WHETHER THE PERSON FILING IS A
Not Applicable.
<PAGE>
Page 10 of 13 Pages
ITEM 4. OWNERSHIP
(a) Amount Beneficially Owned:
Entities:
EDV III - 327,102
EDT IV - 10,266
EDC&L - 6,056
EDVP - 343,424
Individuals:
Bahles - 343,424
Kalbach - 343,424
Peterson - 343,424
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
(b) Percent of Class:
Entities:
EDV III - 10.8%
EDT IV - 0.3%
EDC&L - 0.2%
EDVP - 11.3%
Individuals:
Bahles - 11.3%
Kalbach - 11.3%
Peterson - 11.3%
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
(c) Number of shares as to which such person has:
(i) sole power to vote or to direct the vote
Entities:
EDV III - 327,102
EDT IV - 10,266
EDC&L - 6,056
EDVP - 343,424
Individuals:
Bahles - 0
Kalbach - 0
Peterson - 0
-----------------------------------------------------------------
(ii) shared power to vote or to direct the vote
Entities:
EDV III - 0
EDT IV - 0
EDC&L - 0
EDVP - 0
Individuals:
Bahles - 343,424
Kalbach - 343,424
Peterson - 343,424
-----------------------------------------------------------------
(iii) sole power to dispose or to direct the disposition of
Entities:
EDV III - 327,102
EDT IV - 10,266
EDC&L - 6,056
EDVP - 343,424
Individuals:
Bahles - 0
Kalbach - 0
Peterson - 0
-----------------------------------------------------------------
(iv) shared power to dispose or to direct the disposition of
Entities:
EDV III - 0
EDT IV - 0
EDC&L - 0
EDVP - 0
Individuals:
Bahles - 343,424
Kalbach - 343,424
Peterson - 343,424
-----------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
Page 11 of 13 Pages
ITEM 5. OWNERSHIP OF FIVE PERCENT OR LESS OF A CLASS
Not Applicable.
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ITEM 6. OWNERSHIP OF MORE THAN FIVE PERCENT ON BEHALF OF ANOTHER PERSON
Not Applicable.
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ITEM 7. IDENTIFICATION AND CLASSIFICATION OF THE SUBSIDIARY WHICH ACQUIRED
THE SECURITY BEING REPORTED ON BY THE PARENT HOLDING COMPANY
Not Applicable.
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ITEM 8. IDENTIFICATION AND CLASSIFICATION OF MEMBERS OF THE GROUP
No reporting person is a member of a group as defined in Section
240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(H) of the Act.
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ITEM 9. NOTICE OF DISSOLUTION OF GROUP
Not Applicable.
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ITEM 10. CERTIFICATION
Not Applicable.
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EXHIBITS
A: Joint Filing Statement
<PAGE>
Page 12 of 13 Pages
SIGNATURE
After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I
certify that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and
correct.
Date: February 14, 1997
EL DORADO VENTURES III, L.P. EL DORADO TECHNOLOGY IV, L.P.
By: El Dorado Venture Partners III By: El Dorado Venture Partners III
its general partner its general partner
By: /s/ By: /s/
--------------------------------- -----------------------------------
General Partner General Partner
EL DORADO C&L FUND, L.P. EL DORADO VENTURE PARTNERS III
By: El Dorado Venture Partners III
its general partner
By: /s/ By: /s/
--------------------------------- -----------------------------------
General Partner General Partner
By: /s/
---------------------------------
Shanda Bahles
By: /s/
---------------------------------
Gary W. Kalbach
By: /s/
---------------------------------
Thomas H. Peterson
<PAGE>
Page 13 of 13 Pages
EXHIBIT A
AGREEMENT OF JOINT FILING
We, the undersigned, hereby express our agreement that the attached
Schedule 13G is filed on behalf of us.
Date: February 14, 1997
EL DORADO VENTURES III, L.P. EL DORADO TECHNOLOGY IV, L.P.
By: El Dorado Venture Partners III By: El Dorado Venture Partners III
its general partner its general partner
By: /s/ By: /s/
--------------------------------- -----------------------------------
General Partner General Partner
EL DORADO C&L FUND, L.P. EL DORADO VENTURE PARTNERS III
By: El Dorado Venture Partners III
its general partner
By: /s/ By: /s/
--------------------------------- -----------------------------------
General Partner General Partner
By: /s/
---------------------------------
Shanda Bahles
By: /s/
---------------------------------
Gary W. Kalbach
By: /s/
---------------------------------
Thomas H. Peterson
