From new data stores to large-scale databases to cloud-based storage services, it seems VC dollars these days are primarily flowing into two important (if somewhat unsexy) technology sectors: storage and big data. Which make sense, given that the continuous digitization of everything is resulting in a proverbial explosion of structured and unstructured data, in turn placing the systems under new kinds of stress. Here are some of the recent fundings that bring this trend into focus:
* Scale Computing just raised $9 million in funding in its second round that was led by by Benchmark Capital.
* Pivot3, a company that provides virtualized servers and storage, raised $25 million from Focus Ventures and other investors.
* RainStor, a structured data software company, today raised $7.5 million in Series B funding from Storm Ventures and Informatica.
We’ve been keeping track of this trend for nearly two years. So in order to get more context, check out these posts from our archives:
* Storage Startups Turn Cache Into Cash
* Who Will Cache in on Cloud Storage
* The Future Is Big Data in the Cloud
* Why Big Data & Real-time Web Are Made for Each Other.
* How Yahoo, Facebook, Amazon & Google Think About Big Data
Data is the next big play as more and more utility shifts to smartphones which is driving up data usage exponentially
Om, right on. This is exactly what my fund is targeting, albeit at the seed stage. You were definitely early in spotting the importance of this space, and we are running with this megatrend and looking to fund the most promising nascent companies across the big data landscape.
Roger
“Cache to cash.” I love it!
there’s a ton of structured data in enteprises that I’m sure they’d like to be able to search, index, and combine with unstrucutred data (how do I get my CRM data lined up with tweets mentioning my company?), and do it all in the cloud. whoever figures that out will be printing money.
Pharma/Bio Science is still a big play to and will remain there for a long long time.
Om has been on it and ahead of it (as he always is). Here’s a video of him interviewing Scott Yara of Greenplum, a large-scale data warehousing and analytics company.
Video was recorded almost two years ago. FD: I am a consultant for Greenplum.