Intel Capital invests in Chennai's Real Image

Intel Capital, the venture capital investment arm of Intel Corporation, has invested a part of its $250-million India Technology Fund in Chennai-based digital media technology firm "� Real Image Technologies. However, the exact amount of the investment was not disclosed.

"This latest investment underscores our commitment to fostering technology innovation and growth in India. We have announced investment funds in India and other locations around the world and will continue to work with portfolio companies to make them successful," Intel Capital President Arvind Sodhani told reporters here today.

Real Image specialises in digital media technology for the film, video, audio and animation industry worldwide.

The company had earlier funded Maya Entertainment, Mauj, Mobiapps Holdings and Persistent Systems, and was planning to focus on wireless connectivity, digital media content and consumer internet, among others.

In December 2005, Intel had set up the $250-million India Technology Fund, the largest country-specific fund, aimed at investing in IT and software firms in the country. Intel has so far made five investments from this fund.

"The Indian IT sector and economy are booming, and we will continue to invest in the country. We are also getting huge returns from India, and Intel Capital will be looking at investments in chip design, Wimax, wireless and the services space," Sodhani said.

Intel Capital had made its first investment in India in 1998 and has till date invested in more than 40 companies in the country.

Some of these companies have gone public or were acquired. Since 1991, Intel Capital has invested over $4 billion in more than 1,000 countries in over 30 countries.