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Intel Capital, the global investment arm of chip maker Intel, announced to invest Rs 81 crore in five Indian companies. The investments comprise two fresh investments, in PolicyBazaar and in Sudhir Srivastava Robotic Surgery Centre (SSARSC), and three follow-on investments, in mobile media company July Systems, online travel company Yatra.com and open-source application development software company WSO2.

While PolicyBazaar is a leading online insurance comparison site that assists customers in making informed decisions about their insurance purchase, SSARSC is a provider of advanced robotic surgery procedures for specialty areas.

Investment in SSARSC marks Intel Capital’s first investment in the healthcare sector in India. Details of individual investments were not disclosed.

PolicyBazaar shall use the capital to build brand awareness and to further extend its technology platform and product portfolio.

“Technology has been the key to India’s unprecedented development over the last few years. Our investments in these companies are a proof that we are committed to nurture technology innovation in India,” said Arvind Sodhani, President of Intel Capital and Executive Vice-President of Intel.

“Our support shall help these companies gain access to global resources, knowledge and expertise,” he added.

“The rapid adoption of computing in India is transforming the economy and improving people’s lives, and this is just the beginning,” said Navin Shenoy, Vice-President and General Manager, Intel Asia-Pacific. “These investments underscore the opportunity that computing creates for Indian entrepreneurs — to build innovative new businesses.”

Funding for the investments announced by Intel Capital comes from the Rs 1,125-crore Intel Capital India Technology Fund, established in December 2005. The fund invests in Indian technology companies to stimulate local technology innovation and the continued growth of India’s information technology industry.

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Intel Capital, investment, July Systems, PolicyBazaar, Sudhir Srivastava Robotic Surgery Centre, WSO2, Yatra