Cisco Investments to spend $150 million to fund early-stage firms

The new funding allocation builds on company's $2 billion portfolio

Cisco Investments, the venture capital arm of US-based Internet technology firm Cisco, will invest an additional $150 million over the next 2-3 years to fund early-stage companies globally.

The new funding allocation builds on Cisco Investments' $2 billion portfolio.

The investment is focused on next horizon themes to accelerate the development of disruptive technology markets, including big data and analytics, the Internet of Things (IoT); connected mobility, storage, silicon, the content technology ecosystem, and India innovation, Cisco said in a statement.

It has made minority investments in IoT accelerators and startups Alchemist Accelerator, Ayla Networks and EVRYTHNG.

The new funding increases Cisco Investments' thematic investing to $250 million, adding to the previously announced $100 million commitment to startups focused on the emerging Internet of Everything (IoE) market opportunity.

As part its nearly 20-year history, Cisco Investments' aligns its investment with Cisco's existing business, including cloud, data centre, mobility, collaboration, security, routing and switching.

"Our ability to identify and stay ahead of market disruptions is deeply rooted in our build, buy, partner and integrate approach to innovation," Hilton Romanski, senior vice president, Cisco Corporate Development said.

"We are thrilled to be partnering with Cisco on an Internet-of-Things-focused Accelerator. The resources, mentorship, and connections across Cisco and Alchemist offer a synergistic foundation for IoT founders looking for deep industry partnerships and expertise, with a network designed to champion founder interests," said Ravi Belani, managing director, Alchemist Accelerator.

Cisco Investments is an active investor with more than 40 investment professionals with deep market and technology expertise located in major geographies, including the US, China, India, Israel, and Europe.

Other theme investment examples include: Whiptail (advanced storage theme, since acquired by Cisco); Bit Stew Systems (IoT theme); Loggly and Platfora(big data theme); EnVerv (silicon theme); and Belly, MobStac and Phunware(connected mobility theme).