MUNICH, Germany-Siemens Mobile Acceleration, an early-stage wireless venture investor wholly owned by Siemens Information and Communication Mobile Group, Munich, Germany, has opened an American headquarters in San Jose, Calif.
Gerald Brady, formerly director of 3i, a venture-capital firm specializing in software and communications companies, will serve as managing director of the U.S. office. Sven Weber, formerly with Apollis AG, the early-stage wireless investment unit of General Atlantic Partners and McKinsey & Co., is the new vice president of the American branch of Siemens Mobile Acceleration.
Companies funded by SMA will have the opportunity to participate with its parent company at industry events, to gain customer referrals and to obtain integration of their technology into Siemens’ product and service packages. An investment director from the Siemens venture capital unit will be responsible for each funded start-up to offer strategic advice based on his or her prior experience in the company’s particular field of endeavor.
“We want to tap the full potential of the most innovative companies in the U.S. wireless market,” said Dietrich Ulmer, president and chief executive officer of Siemens Mobile Acceleration.
“We are confident that we can achieve a high level of interest and success in the United States by acting as a global gateway for emerging companies.”
