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The Most Active Venture Capital and Corporate Investors in the Internet of Things

  • January 14, 2014
  • January 14, 2014
Corporate venture investors lead the way in terms of Internet of Things deal activity with Intel Capital, Qualcomm Ventures and Cisco Investments taking 3 of the top 4 spots. The lone pure-play VC in the top IoT investors is True Ventures.

Google’s $3.2 billion acquisition of smart thermostat startup Nest Labs should increase the intensity of interest in the home automation space and the broader Internet of Things market. With Google’s acquisition netting a fantastic return for Nest’s venture backers including Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers (who were clearly written off a bit prematurely), Shasta Ventures and Lightspeed Venture Partners, we wanted to take a look at who are some of the most active venture capital and corporate investors in the emerging IoT innovation landscape.

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To clarify, IoT companies tracked in the CB Insights database span the following subcategories:

Home Automation & Energy Management – Companies that offer technologies that control energy, security and other basic functions in homes or commercial spaces. This includes companies like SmartThings and Nest Labs.

Networks, Sensors & Platforms – Companies that provide network, sensor and/or platform-based systems for a variety of applications. This includes companies like GainSpan, Streetline and ThingMagic.

Healthcare – Companies that provide remote patient monitoring or machine-to-machine products for the healthcare industry, specifically for use by physicians or home healthcare providers.

Monitoring & Tracking – Companies specializing in the monitoring and tracking of different objects and goods. Examples include SepSensor and Cantaloupe Systems.

Quantified Self – Companies that offer tools for knowing your own mind and body, which include FitBit and Jawbone.

Within our list, corporate investors make up 3 of the top 4 investors in the IoT space by unique company investments over time, led by Intel Capital, which has invested in iControl Networks, GainSpan and Arrayent among others. The top 3 is rounded out by True Ventures at #2. True has made a concerted effort to invest in hardware and IoT startups over the past couple years.  At #3 are corporate investors Qualcomm Ventures and Cisco Investments.

Kleiner Perkins, which invested early in Nest, has also grown a diverse IoT-related portfolio ranging from Jawbone to Dropcam to iControl Networks.

iotinvestors

For more Internet of Things financing and exit data, check out the CB Insights Venture Capital Database. Sign up for free below.