Element Six Ventures, a corporate venturing unit of UK and South Africa-based diamond group De Beers, has opened an office in Santa Clara, California
Element Six said the office opening would allow it to broaden its portfolio in the region. It has so far invested in seven companies across the clean-tech semiconductor and electronics industries, since it was founded in 2006.
Susie Wheeler, a managing director of Element Six Ventures Group, said: "Locating the Ventures’ office in Silicon Valley allows us to connect with new partners who, like us, want to develop these emerging technology investments."
Element Six Ventures invests in venture deals from seed to late stage, where the companies use synthetic diamond and other supermaterials and are scaleable with commercial potential.
Wheeler added, "As well as capital, our team are able to leverage over 60 years of synthetic diamond material innovation, technological and commercial expertise. This know-how will enable our new capital partners to mitigate risk, and our portfolio companies to successfully accelerate market entry and profitability."