Intel beefs up venture capital arm

Stuart Corner
Monday, 29 May 2006 18:57

IT Industry - Strategy

See also: Intel punts on two more WiMAX players

Intel says its venture capital arm, Intel Capital, has embarked on a "bolder, more proactive strategy" that will result in it having larger stakes and more active involvement in its investment targets.

Arvind Sodhani, president of Intel Capital said: "Look for Intel Capital to be more proactive in areas that it has traditionally stayed clear of, such as leading investment rounds, active board collaboration and taking larger investment stakes in portfolio companies."

Since March 2005 Intel Capital says it has either led, co-led or been the sole investor in 54 deals — 46 percent of the total of all deals signed.

"The Pipex Wireless investment announced last month is another example where Intel Capital formed a new joint venture in collaboration with PIPEX in the United Kingdom to promote WiMAX deployment," the company said. "Intel Capital was the lead investor in the Pipex Wireless deal and is contributing both management expertise and active collaboration with the vast resources of Intel Corporation to help make this new company successful."

Intel Capital has also just announced further WiMAX investments in Worldmax, a joint venture with Enertel Holdings in the Netherlands, and with Orascom Telecom WiMAX Ltd in Turkey.

In the past year Intel has created a series of geographic investment funds: in India ($US25m), China ($US200m), the Middle East and Turkey ($US50m) and most recently Brazil ($US50m) in March. Intel Capital has invested over 60 percent of its $US265m total in companies outside the United States.