The tech world already has an iFund for iPhone and iPad startups, not to mention a BlackBerry Partners Fund for their BlackBerry counterparts, so hey, why not an A-Fund for Android too?
That’s what venture firm DCM annnounced today. The firm said in a press release that it’s “open to startups and developers from around the world, at any stage and size, whose products will shape the future of the Android ecosystem.”
It sounds like this fund will be international in scope, with a particular focus on Asia. DCM itself has a presence in Beijing and Tokyo (as well as Silicon Valley), while Japanese mobile social gaming network GREE, Japanese mobile operator KDDI, and Chinese Internet giant Tencent are investors in the fund.
“The A-Fund will give startups the ability to take advantage of Android’s inherent international potential, and access to top investors and strategic partners across the world,” said GREE founder and chief executive Yoshikazu Tanaka in the release.
AI Weekly
The must-read newsletter for AI and Big Data industry written by Khari Johnson, Kyle Wiggers, and Seth Colaner.
Included with VentureBeat Insider and VentureBeat VIP memberships.
The fund size is $100 million, which was also the initial size of the iFund. DCM said it will be announcing more partners in the next few weeks, including a US semiconductor company.
This April 25-26, VentureBeat is hosting its inaugural VentureBeat Mobile Summit, where we’ll debate the five key business and policy challenges facing the mobile industry today. Participants will develop concrete, actionable solutions that will shape the future of the mobile industry. The invitation-only event, located at the scenic and relaxing Cavallo Point Resort in Sausalito, Calif., is limited to 180 mobile executives, investors and policymakers.
VentureBeat's mission is to be a digital town square for technical decision-makers to gain knowledge about transformative enterprise technology and transact. Learn More