New York, Aug 20, 2014: This bit of news will bring cheer to startups working in the field of the Internet of Things (IoT).
Moonscape Ventures, a $120 million investment company focused on startups in the IoT and related technologies, was launched today by global entrepreneur Mati Kochavi. Kochavi’s existing network of companies include smart city and IoT solutions provider AGT International.
AGT International, a global leader in city solutions, is dramatically changing the way cities are managed by leveraging the power of IoT in its next generation smart solutions and through partnerships such as its Smart City Global Alliance with Cisco.
Moonscape Ventures also announced its first investment of US $3.1 million in startup SocialStudios, whose technology uses social media data and automatically creates and curates personalized video content.
Moonscape Ventures will make early stage investments in new and innovative technologies in a wide variety of sectors related to the IoT, including smart cities, big data and news and media technologies. First round investments will range from $500,000-$5 million.
Mati Kochavi
“As a part of our commitment to providing cutting edge technology solutions, we are proud to announce the launch of Moonscape Ventures. Companies in the Moonscape portfolio will benefit from our deep experience, global network and partnership opportunities,” Kochavi said. “By leveraging our unique access and experience, startups will be well poised to transform their innovative ideas into disruptive technologies.”
Recently, Kochavi also launched Vocativ, the news organisation that uses advanced technology to mine the Web for stories, trends and issues that are missed by conventional search engines.
Vocativ will be the first company to use SocialStudios’ technology to build a personalised video platform enabling its users to view content highly tailored to their interests and those of their close circles. Now in beta, SocialStudios will be incorporated in the Vocativ offering this fall.
Moonscape Ventures will be led by two executives with experience in technology business development – Tammy Mahn, a leading investment professional with more than a dozen years of experience at global firms Hamilton Lane, Pitango Venture Capital, Evergreen Venture Capital and McKinsey Consulting, and Yonit Golub Serkin, who served as the Deputy Chief of Staff for Economic Development for the City of New York during Michael Bloomberg’s Administration.
“Great ideas and access to capital are necessary to turn startups into global companies, but they’re not sufficient. To succeed, you need a winning team,” Mahn said. “Moonscape Ventures will work with our portfolio companies to build the best team possible and leverage sector experts and international access to accelerate growth. Our company is founded on a long history of innovation and success and we’re pleased to offer that legacy to startups.”
About Moonscape Ventures
Moonscape Ventures is the corporate development and investment company founded by entrepreneur Mati Kochavi to support growth and launch startups in the Internet of Things, smart cities, big data, and news and media sectors. Moonscape Ventures portfolio investments benefit from close cooperation with Kochavi’s existing network of companies including IoT solutions leader AGT International and Vocativ, an innovative media company based on groundbreaking ‘deep web’ technologies. Moonscape is a $120 million company, led by Tammy Mahn, investing in early stage companies throughout the world.
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Image Credit: Moonscape Ventures
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