Intel Capital, the corporate venturing unit of semiconductor maker Intel, has backed four US investments to take the total invested to $10bn over its 20-year history.
Intel Capital invested $24.5m in its latest four deals: CrowdStar, a developer of social games on Facebook incubated at YouWeb along with another former Intel Capital portfolio company, OpenFeint; iStreamPlanet, a provider of live internet broadcast management and automated video workflow; Music Mastermind, an independent entertainment and technology company preparing for the launch of its create-and-share music platform in the second half of this year using Intel-based personal computer, mobile and set-top platforms; and PerspecSys, a cloud data security provider.
Intel Capital led the $23m round for CrowdStar with a consortium including media group Time Warner’s corporate venturing unit, China-based The9 after it set up a fund and NVInvestments, the organization behind media mogul Aviv Nevo, who is Time Warner’s largest investor.
Rachel Lam, senior vice-president of Time Warner Investments, said: "Time Warner’s unique IP [intellectual property] franchises and extensive media resources coupled with a social games leader like CrowdStar has the potential to truly impact the way consumers engage in social gaming."
Intel Capital led the planned $11m series A round for iStreamPlanet, which has also hired Khurram Siddiqui as general manager of Europe from his role as vice-president of product development for Comcast Sports Group, by funding $7m in a first closing. Lisa Lambert, vice-president of Intel Capital, said: "Online video is a significant driver of Internet traffic, with online TV advertising expected to account for a significantly growing share of total TV advertising revenue over the coming years."
Intel Capital and cable group Liberty Global led the $10.8m series B round for Music Mastermind with a combined contribution of $6.8m, while angel investors participated with the remainder. The company raised its first round of funding in February last year with nearly $5m from angel investors.
Dave Flanagan, managing director of Intel Capital, said: "Music Mastermind… products will help transform the way we think about music creation and interactive entertainment across PC, mobile and set-top platforms."
Intel Capital led the $8m series A round for PerspecSys, which included existing investors Growthworks and MaRS Investment Accelerator Fund. Sean Cunningham, investment director at Intel Capital, said: "PerspecSys fits well into our cloud security investment strategy and is complimentary with Intel’s Cloud 2015 vision."
The deals are all part of Intel’s computing continuum to provide a smarter, more secure, and always-connected computing experience across a range of device segments – including laptops, cars, smartphones and smart televisions.
Arvind Sodhani, president of Intel Capital, said: "The explosion of computing has created endless opportunities for the development of interesting applications that deliver unique user experiences. Intel Capital’s investments in these companies will help advance applications ranging from cloud computing security to an enhanced entertainment experience."
Separately, Intel Capital-backed, Japan-based UQ Communications has signed a deal with Tokyo Metro and the Tokyo metropolitan government to install WiMax infrastructure and facilities to provide coverage in Tokyo’s subway system. UQ investors also include East Japan Railway, Kyocera and Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ.
National Instruments has also agreed to pay $58m for Intel Capital-backed electronic design automation software provider AWR.