US-based virtualisation software developer VMware plans to invest $500m in India through 2016 in order to expand its operations in the country, chief executive officer Pat Gelsinger said during a press conference in Bangalore.
Although it does not have a dedicated corporate venturing unit, VMware has been an active strategic investor, funding companies including Crittercism, Puppet Labs and HyTrust in the past 18 months.
The company has also acquired 17 companies since 2008, including India-based mobile app and content management software developer AirWatch for $1.54bn in January of this year.
India represents the second largest office for VMware, after its California headquarters, and its investments in the country will include $70m left over from a $120m investment plan originally touted in 2013. Much of the cash will go towards creating new capacity and enhancing internal research and development, but acquisitions will also likely be included.
“India continues to play a crucial role in our global product roadmap and growth strategy,” Gelsinger said. “The country’s outstanding engineering talent continues to impress us, and we stay committed to investing and growing our team here over the long term.
“We are always looking for tuck-in acquisitions to accelerate growth,” he added.