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Recent investments by U.S. and Indian venture firms in companies principally doing business in India, such as Jivox' $10.7 million round from Silicon Valley firm Opus Capital and Indias Helion Ventures Pvt. Ltd., highlight the maturity of the Indian tech market. Much of the venture capital traffic in India involves Indian entrepreneurs who have been successful in the U.S. returning to back startups in India. But increasingly the Indian startup market is fueled by global corporate venture capital.

The Financial Express of India has a fascinating and thorough rundown of how corporate venture capital by leading global information tech companies has driven innovation in the country, with predictions by analysts including Forrester Research vice president, Navi Radjou that such investment will continue to accelerate over the next few years. The story traces the beginnings to Intel Capital's first investments in India in 1998 and the launch of its first $250 million dedicated fund in 2005. Cisco Ventures launched its $100 million India fund the same year, accompanying a larger $1.1 billion commitment for investment in its own operations in India.

The most recent dedicated corporate fund announced was SAP Ventures, and the story also outlines Microsoft's strategy of involvement with startup companies aside from direct investment.  -- Clifford Carlsen
 
See June 16 post from Tech Confidential
See June 23 story from The Financial Express

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