G.fast chipmaker Sckipio and mobile data/voice company FreedomPop were among the startups that are benefiting from Intel Capital's decision to invest $22 million in ten technology companies.
Sckipio has been focused on silicon that powers modems and other gear that support G.fast, an emerging standard that brings gigabit capabilities to DSL networks. Ramat Gan, Israel-based Sckipio noted that it showed 1 Gbps running at 300 meters using G.fast technology. How much Intel Capital put into Sckipio was not released, but the startup noted that it represents its third round of funding and that it previously has raised $27 million from venture capital firms Amiti Ventures, Aviv Ventures, Genesis Partners, Gemini Israel Ventures and Pitango Venture Capital.
FreedomPop said the new strategic funding will help it to expand is smartphone lineup, noting that Intel Capital’s backing will help to fund a 2016 commercial launch of a "WiFi first" smartphone that will prefer WiFi connectivity and fallback to cellular when WiFi is not available. That device, FreedomPop said, will use Intel’s new SoFIA mobile chipset to help users seamlessly switch to and from WiFi and cellular networks. “The smartphone will be available in multiple markets, with launch details to be announced at a later date.” FreedomPop said.
Intel made the funding announcement at the Intel Capital Global Summit in San Diego. The VC expects to invest more than $500 million in technology companies this year, up from $359 million in 2014.
Here’s a roundup of other Intel Capital investments announced today:
-LISNR: The Cincinnati-based creator of Smart Tones, a new communication protocol that sends data over audio using a high-frequency, inaudible technology.
-what3words: A London-based developer of an addressing platform that, it claims, allows people to find and communicate a location more accurately than GPS or postcodes.
-Body Labs: A New York-based startup that collects, digitizes and organizes all of the data and information related to human body shape, pose and motion.
-Microprogram Information: A Taiwan-based Internet of Things startup that makes “turnkey” hardware and software solutions and backend information management services for rental bicycles, taxi fleets, and mobile point-of-sale systems.
-Perfant Technology: Beijing, China-based developer of imaging and video technologies for artificial intelligence, machine vision, 3-D reconstruction and virtual reality.
-Chargifi: London-based startup focused on the development of a wireless charging network that would span coffee shops to hotels, restaurants, offices and airports.
-KMLabs: Boulder, Colo.-based maker of compact laser systems for research and industrial applications.
-Prieto Battery: Fort Collins, Colo.-based 3-D advanced battery provider focused on commercializing a patented Lithium-ion battery technology.
