Gecko Robotics, Inc.

next47 is the corporate venture capital company of Siemens Group. The firm invests primarily in the United States, Europe and Israel, both directly and through a variety of third-party venture capital funds. next47's role is to identify investments in emerging technologies which will enhance the group's core activities as well as produce strong returns. The firm follows a hands-on investment approach and provides their portfolio companies with strategic management guidance. They seek to establish collaborative relationships and leverage the worldwide network of Siemens to provide market visibility and access to services. next47 focuses on early- and expansion-stage companies based on innovative technologies of strategic value for the group, particularly in information and communications, automation and control, medical solutions, automotive technology and transportation systems, power and lighting.next47's sectors of interests related to energy include clean energy generation (solar, wind, ethanol and fuel cells), energy efficiency and storage, grid and power station operation. They also focus on water treatment and water management.Regarding automation and control, industrial and public infrastructure, next47 seeks to invest in hardware improvements (sensor technology, motor and drive, power transmission), automation enabling (wireless connectivity, battery technology, mesh networks, machine vision), process management, non-destructive testing, tracing and security. They also invest in optical semiconductors and LEDs.In the healthcare sector, next47 targets imaging technologies, diagnostics, molecular imaging and biomarkers, image guided and minimally invasive techniques, and hearing aids.In 2007 next47 exited a portfolio of communications companies through a secondary direct sale to Cipio Partners.

Founders Fund Management focuses on seed and early-stage investments in high-growth companies within the technology sector. The firm is particularly interested in emerging consumer Internet companies. Investments typically range from $500,000 to $5 million.

Y Combinator specializes in funding early-stage start-up companies. They seek to help start-ups mature from ideas to companies. Y Combinator invests mainly in software and web services companies. Each start-up is given $14,000 plus $3,000 per founder (up to three founders). Y Combinator takes positions in their portfolio companies of 5% to 6%. Y Combinator has funded over 500 startups including Scribd, reddit, Airbnb, Dropbox, Disqus and Heroku.