Intel Corp Invests $62M To Expand Its Business Scope
Last Tuesday, during Intel Capital's annual globe conference in Huntington Beach in California, the chipmaker revealed it has funded several tech companies. These investments are different from the $28 million in investments in several Chinese companies.
The $62 million investment involves companies that focus on wearable technology, eye-tracking technology and mobile, to name a few. While Intel gets the majority of its profits from its PC and data centre chips business, the company still likes to widen its business perspectives.
Avegant is one of the 16 companies where Intel invested in. It is a virtual reality company located in Redwood City, California. The company is developing a consumer goggles prototype called Glyph ,which can also be used as headphones. Avegant encountered funding problems and has needed assistance in raising funds. With the help of Kickstarter, they raised over $1 million through crowdfunding. According to Avegant CEO Joerg Tewes, Intel Corp's investment was a big help in finishing the project and in pushing the product forward.
Eyefluence is another company Intel Capital has funded in. The company focuses on eye-tracking technology used for augmented or virtual reality. Intel's funding of Eyefluence is said to be similar to its investment in EyeSmart, a Chinese company that focuses on iris-recognition technology.
Some of the 16 companies that Intel has invested in are: Braigo Labs, a start-up company that produces low-cost Braille printer that was invented by 13-year-old Shubham Banerjee. Also on the list is PrecisionHawk that specializes in the business of collecting and analysing aerial data. Another company is Audyssey, which focuses on improving sound quality for home theatres, TVs and mobile phones. Finally, Screenovate specialises in a product that allows users to wirelessly beam movies and games from their smartphones or tablets directly to their TVs.
Intel Corp is in its full momentum with its drive to broaden its business scope. The chip giant expects to reach a whopping $355 million in total investments this year alone, adding to the $11 billion total investments it made since 1991.
In separate news, Intel Corp announced the winner of its "Make it Wearable" contest that aims to promote the Edison chip, which is a new innovation from the leading chip maker. Nixie, who made a flying wearable camera, won the $500,000 grand prize.