Intel Capital Slows Investment Pace This Year: UPDATE

Intel Capital slowed its investment pace through the first three quarters of this year while maintaining a broad global focus.

The venture capital arm of the computer chipmaker said Tuesday it invested $250 million in emerging companies though September with 58% of its dollars going to startups outside North America.

The pace, if continued through the fourth quarter, suggests annual investing of $333 million, well behind the $526 million of 2011. About 51% of Intel Capital’s investment dollars went to startups overseas last year.

Intel Capital President Arvind Sodhani provided the investment update at the organization’s Global Summit in Huntington Beach, Calif. He didn’t offer an explanation for the pull back said during the event that the organization is on track to do $400 million in 2012.

Intel Capital so far this year has done 45 deals with new companies and 55 follow-on deals. Portfolio companies generated seven IPOs. Last year, Intel Capital made 158 investments.

This year’s investment pace resembles the pace of 2010 and 2009, when $327.3 million and $327.6 million, respectively, went to startups.

(UPDATE: story updated to include additional comments from Arvind Sodhani.)

Photo of Arvind Sodhani taken by Mark Boslet.