ALPS Electric And Ridgewood Capital Form Venture Partnership
Palo Alto, USA (ots)
ALPS Information Technology Fund, LP, a core company of the Alps Electric North America, Inc affiliated group and Ridgewood Capital today announced the formation of a venture partnership. As part of the agreement, ALPS Information Technology Fund, LP has made an investment in Ridgewood Capital's Venture Fund III. The two firms will also collaborate to identify disruptive technologies in the following sectors: optical components, semi-conductor for wireless communications, optical and wireless communication equipment, PC computer peripheral equipment and automotive electronics.
Leading the team at Ridgewood Capital is Elton Sherwin, Senior Managing Director of the Palo Alto office. Sherwin, formerly of Motorola Ventures and author of The Silicon Valley Way said, "This is an important new relationship for Ridgewood Capital and a partnership that will be mutually beneficial. The team at ALPS is very experienced and technically savvy. I look forward to working with them and introducing them to some very exciting start-ups."
Marty Sukle, Manager at ALPS Information Technology Fund, LP noted, "We are impressed with the expertise of the technical team at Ridgewood. Their extensive experience in these sectors and ability to provide ALPS with quality investment opportunities were the keys to our decision to be part of Ridgewood's Venture Fund III."
About Alps Electric
Alps Electric Co. Ltd. (headquartered in Japan) and its global group of companies have manufactured various electronic components since its foundation in 1948. Based on innovative proprietary technology and market outlook, the Company provides cutting-edge electronic components that contribute to the advancement of multimedia society in the four core businesses of communications and broadcasting, components, computer peripherals and car electronics. Based on a four-sphere business structure comprising Japan, Asia, the United States and Europe, Alps advances global corporate activities that strengthen partnerships with customers, countries and regions throughout the world.
About Ridgewood Capital
Ridgewood Capital is a technology venture capital firm. Our investment team, comprised of former executives from leading technology companies and investment banks, brings operational, technical and financial expertise to our portfolio companies. Ridgewood Capital's highly focused investment strategy is to build a diverse portfolio of premier technology companies in sectors where the partners have direct, relevant experience and that promise the most growth over the next several years: Communications, Semiconductors, Software and Optical Networking. Ridgewood Capital, part of the Ridgewood Companies founded in 1982, has a proven track record over multiple industries for close to 20 years. We have offices located in Ridgewood, New Jersey and Palo Alto, California. For more information, visit www.ridgewoodcapital.com.
Contact: Marty Sukle ALPS phone +1/408/361-6490 e-mail: Marty.sukle@alps.com
Contact:
Leslie W. Golden
Ridgewood Capital
phone +1/201/447-9000
e-mail: Lgolden@ridgewoodcapital.com