For an example of how to sign up the top strategic investors in wireless technology, you can't do much better than U.K.-based indoor access point developer IP.access.com.
Intel Corp. [INTC], check. Motorola Inc. [MOT], check. Cisco Systems Inc. [CSCO], check. Now cross Qualcomm Inc. [QCOM] off the list.
Nine-year-old IP.access rounded out its blue-chip roster of strategic investors, adding wireless chip development heavyweight Qualcomm with an investment of undisclosed size from its European investment fund announced Wednesday, to a group that also included ADC Telecommunications Inc. [ADCT].
The maker of femtocells and picocells, which are used as base stations for supporting mobile-phone networks in indoor settings and, recently, aircraft, had Motorola and Intel on board at the time of a $10 million institutional round led by London venture investor Amadeus Capital Partners and included Scottish Equity Partners and Rothschild Gestion in February 2007. It added Cisco and ADC in subsequent strategic deals. The company said it was cash positive at the time of the Cisco announcement in January, but continues to invest in technology for leveraging residential broadband connections to improve mobile-phone quality in the home.
IP.access has revenues from OEM partners and a picocell system used in more than 35 mobile networks worldwide, and IT currently has trials of a new Oyster 3G system underway with major carriers. - Clifford Carlsen
See May 21 press release on latest funding from IP.access
See February 2007 item on IP.access venture round from The Deal
See Jan. 23 press release on Cisco investment from IP.access
For more see FierceWireless, Wall Street & Technology and electronicsweekly.com
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