Intel Capital, the investment arm of chip maker Intel, today said it has invested about USD 62 million in 16 technology companies working in areas like wearables, data analytics and Internet of Things (IoT).
Intel Capital invests in the technology continuum and everything in between, including silicon, smart devices, PCs, the cloud and data centres, Intel Capital President and Intel Executive Vice President Arvind Sodhani said.
"We are focused on helping innovative companies develop across this technology ecosystem, and we expect to invest a total of USD 355 million this year," he added.
The firm has invested USD 62 million in 16 companies and the announcement was made at the 15th annual Intel Capital Global Summit.
The founders of the newest portfolio companies include 13-year-old Shubham Banerjee, who has invented low-cost Braille printers for the blind using Legos and Intel Edison chips, and 25-year semiconductor expert Sundari Mitra, who is now running her second startup.
The list includes firms like Inrix, which leverages big data analytics and predictive technology to help automakers, corporate fleets, governments and news organisations reduce the economic and environmental toll of traffic congestion.
Intel Capital invests in companies offering hardware, software, and services targeting enterprise, mobility, consumer Internet, digital media and semiconductor manufacturing.
Since 1991, it has invested more than USD 11 billion in over 1,400 companies in 57 countries. Of them, 209 portfolio companies have gone public on various exchanges around the world and 363 were acquired or participated in a merger.
In 2013, Intel Capital invested USD 333 million in 146 investments.
