Overview
The Wireless Internet Venture Association (WIVA) is a global association of venture capital firms that collaborate to invest in early-stage companies taking advantage of broadband and the mobile Internet. The formation of the group was led by Innovacom (affiliated with France Telecom) and today consists of eight members, each representing a different geographic territory.
Its members include:
- several leading corporate venture arms from the US, Japan and Europe
- a select number of financial investors
Each member nominates two representatives to WIVA and the group meets twice a year in a different city. The host city is either the home city of one of the members or a destination of mutual interest such as Silicon Valley or India. The agenda of each meeting is to:
- share research and market perspective, with a particular focus on learning about the local market
- meet with key executives at local companies
- meet with young entrepreneurial companies
- build syndicates for investments in existing portfolio companies and new investment opportunities
The members of WIVA have a common ambition to invest in innovative companies with potential to become market leaders in their segments on a global basis. Companies favoured by the members typically have great management teams, benefit from strong technology foundations, demonstrate a differentiated product or service offering and target large market opportunities.