Research In Motion (RIM) and Thomson Reuters are creating a USD150m fund to invest in the development of mobile applications and services. The move follows the creation of iFund, an investment fund for iPhone app developers, and the launch of a USD10m challenge for Android developers launched by Google last year. Unlike these schemes, however, RIM's BlackBerry Partners Fund will finance projects for any mobile platform. JLA Ventures and RBC Venture Partners will co-manage the fund.
The BlackBerry Partners Fund is open to projects in any industry segment, ranging from mobile entertainment to corporate software services, says John Albright, managing partner of JLA Ventures, who will assume the role of co-managing partner along with RBC's managing director Kevin Talbot. The companies target projects will include apps for mobile commerce, social networking, navigation and mapping.
StrategyEye's related categories: Home Networking - Wireless, Set Top Boxes, Mobile Device Applications, Portable Media Players, Televisions
StrategyEye's related companies: Research In Motion, Thomson SA
