Investments: IoT startups are killing it, according to Ovum study

• Sees over US$31bil invested in IoT-related startups from 2011-2015
• Tech vendors lead the charge, telcos not that far behind

TELCO and tech firms spent over US$31 billion on IoT-related investments and acquisitions between 2011 and 2015, according to new research from Ovum.
 
“Using data from Ovum’s IoT Investments Tracker, Ovum tracked 76 deals across eight sectors, including IT services, wearables and connected cars,” said Ovum Digital Service senior analyst Francesco Radicati.
 
“Intel led the charge with its US$16.7-billion acquisition of chipset maker Altera, while Verizon, Google and Qualcomm each made at least one acquisition over US$1 billion during the reporting period,” he added.
 
READ ALSO: How the IoT is transforming traditional industries 
 
The number of acquisitions grew from four deals in 2011 to 19 in 2015, while the number of investments peaked in 2013, as companies such as Fitbit attracted more interest from the tech and telco sectors.
 
The biggest single investment in 2015, a US$115-million Series D round for ultra-narrowband network provider Sigfox, was made by a group including venture funds from Telefonica, NTT Docomo and SK Telecom, Ovum said in a statement.
 

 
READ ALSO: Making the world ready for the IoT
 
“While telcos are growing more interested in the IoT, the data show that vendors like Intel and Qualcomm, and tech giants like Google, are still putting the most money into the sector,” said Radicati, author of the IoT Investments: Intel, Google Lead the Charge report.
 
“Thanks to their corporate venture funds and their proximity to key innovation ecosystems, these firms have the expertise to identify up-and-coming IoT startups, as well as the funds needed to invest and acquire such companies.
 
“However, telcos are becoming more active themselves, by setting up their own venture funds and startup accelerators and by making acquisitions to support their existing strategies.
 
“Notable examples are Verizon’s 2012 purchase of Hughes Telematics and Vodafone’s 2015 acquisition of connected car service provider Cobra,” he added.
 
Related Stories:
 
IoT will be largely driven by makers and younger startups: Gartner
 
Disrupt: IoT to be a goldmine for app developers
 
IoT startup boost: Cisco pumps in US$10mil into Monk’s Hill
 
 
For more technology news and the latest updates, follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn or Like us on Facebook.