Intel Capital invests in three Chinese companies

Intel Corp.'s investments arm, Intel Capital, has invested in three Chinese companies using a $200 million fund aimed at China, the U.S. chip maker said Monday.

The company has invested undisclosed amounts in Chipsbrand Microelectronics (HK) Co., which is a holding company for semiconductor design company Chipsbank Technologies (Shenzhen) Co. Ltd.; VeriSilicon Holdings Ltd., another chip maker, and Onewave Technologies Inc., of Shanghai, which develops technology for broadband entertainment services, Intel said.

These are the first investments from the Intel Capital China Technology Fund, which was established in June, although Intel Capital has invested in around 50 companies in China and Hong Kong since 1998, the company said.

Intel Capital invested in the semiconductor companies in part to support the local chip design industry, said Laura Anderson, an Intel representative in Hong Kong. The fund also targets companies able to stimulate the development of local intellectual property and those doing interesting technology work that could be used globally, she said.