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Qualcomm Ventures is the corporate venture capital arm of Qualcomm Incorporated, investing in innovative startups across 5G, AI, IoT, automotive, and mobile technologies.
Qualcomm Ventures, established in 2000, is the corporate venture capital arm of Qualcomm Incorporated. Headquartered in San Diego, California, it has a global presence with offices in seven regions, including San Francisco, Israel, Europe, China, India, Latin America, and Korea. Qualcomm Ventures focuses on investing in startups within sectors aligned with Qualcomm’s core business areas, such as the wireless ecosystem, automotive, data centre and enterprise, digital health, Internet of Things (IoT), 5G, and mobile technologies.
With over 150 active portfolio companies, Qualcomm Ventures has been involved in several notable exits. These include investments in companies like Cruise Automation, Fitbit, Ring, Waze, and InvenSense, all of which were acquired for over $1 billion. Qualcomm Ventures has also had investments in companies like 99 Taxis, NQ Mobile, and many others.
In 2018, Qualcomm Ventures announced a $100 million fund aimed at investing in artificial intelligence (AI), specifically focusing on on-device AI. This AI runs on devices like smartphones and vehicles rather than relying on cloud computing, aligning with Qualcomm’s strategy to develop low-latency and high-efficiency technology.
Qualcomm Ventures also co-led a $25 million Series C funding round for the Swedish VR game studio Resolution Games in 2021. Additionally, it invested in the IoT startup FloLive, in collaboration with Intel Capital and Dell Technologies.
Qualcomm Ventures was founded in 2000 as the corporate venture capital arm of Qualcomm Incorporated. The venture was established to invest in startups that align with Qualcomm’s core technologies, especially in sectors that target the wireless ecosystem. Over the years, it expanded its investment focus to include automotive, data centre and enterprise, digital health, Internet of Things (IoT), and mobile technologies. Qualcomm Ventures plays a key role in supporting the company’s broader strategy by identifying early-stage companies that are driving innovation in these sectors.
One of the early successes of Qualcomm Ventures was its investment in Cruise Automation, a self-driving car technology company. In 2016, Cruise was acquired by General Motors for over $1 billion, marking a major exit for the venture arm. Similar exits followed, including investments in Fitbit (acquired by Google), Ring (acquired by Amazon), Waze (acquired by Google), 99 (app), and InvenSense.
In 2018, Qualcomm Ventures announced a significant initiative to invest $100 million in artificial intelligence (AI), particularly focusing on on-device AI. On-device AI processes data directly on devices such as smartphones or cars, rather than in the cloud, making it more efficient and reducing latency. This initiative further strengthened Qualcomm’s AI strategy, which complements its efforts in mobile technology. Qualcomm's focus on AI spans across applications such as computer vision, voice recognition, and natural language processing.
In 2021, Qualcomm Ventures participated in significant funding rounds. Notably, it co-led a $25 million Series C funding for the Swedish VR games studio Resolution Games. This raised the studio’s total funding to $38.5 million. Qualcomm Ventures also joined Intel Capital and Dell Technologies to invest in FloLive, a London-based IoT startup, as part of its broader efforts to expand in the IoT space. Additionally, Qualcomm Ventures continued its involvement in 5G technologies, further expanding investments into companies that develop 5G infrastructure and applications.
By 2023, Qualcomm Ventures was managing a portfolio of over 140 active companies, with several prominent exits exceeding $1 billion in value. However, in July 2023, it faced scrutiny from the U.S. House Select Committee on Strategic Competition for its investments in China, which led to an investigation into the firm’s role, along with other venture capital entities.
Presently, Qualcomm Ventures continues to support startups worldwide, with investments in sectors ranging from 5G, automotive technologies, cloud, IoT, and AI. It operates from its headquarters in San Diego, California, with additional offices across the United States, Europe, Israel, China, India, Latin America, and Korea. Through its global presence, Qualcomm Ventures connects entrepreneurs to essential resources, expertise, and technology networks, contributing to the success of innovation-driven companies.
The mission of Qualcomm Ventures is to support and invest in startups that drive innovation in 5G, artificial intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), and other advanced technologies. Qualcomm Ventures aims to identify and back entrepreneurs who are developing cutting-edge solutions that align with Qualcomm's broader technological goals. By providing financial backing, technical expertise, and access to global networks, Qualcomm Ventures helps startups grow, scale, and succeed. Their mission is to contribute to the advancement of wireless and mobile ecosystems while fostering long-term growth and impactful innovation.
Qualcomm Ventures is driven by a set of core values that guide its investment strategy and partnerships with startups. These values reflect Qualcomm's broader mission to advance technology and create meaningful impact in the world. Below are the key values that Qualcomm Ventures upholds:
Qualcomm Ventures invests in startups that align with Qualcomm’s core technologies and strategic goals. Their investment criteria focus on supporting companies that drive innovation in sectors related to Qualcomm's business. Below are the key investment criteria:
Qualcomm Ventures has built a diverse portfolio of more than 150 active companies across various sectors. Its portfolio spans industries that align with Qualcomm’s focus on 5G, artificial intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), automotive, cloud computing, and mobile technology. The venture arm invests in startups at different stages of growth, from early-stage to late-stage companies. Some notable companies are:
