BlackBerry Partners Fund Expands with
$100MM Affiliate Fund in China
TORONTO - May 27, 2010 - BlackBerry® Partners Fund today announced the expansion of its investment activities with the launch of a US$100 million affiliate fund focused on mobile investment opportunities in China. BlackBerry Partners Fund China is a new joint venture between China Broadband Capital Partners, a leading venture capital and private equity manager focused on media and communications investments in China since 2006, and BlackBerry Partners Fund. The new Fund will invest exclusively in opportunities supporting the emerging mobile ecosystem in China, the world's largest mobile market. The new Fund is expected to close on August 31, 2010.
"The BlackBerry platform offers tremendous opportunities for startups and other technology innovators to develop new value-added products and services for the mobile market," said Jim Balsillie, Co-CEO of Research In Motion. "We are very excited by the announcement of this new fund and we believe it will help fuel substantial innovation and commercial success within the mobile ecosystem in China."
"The launch of BlackBerry Partners Fund China will further extend the benefits of our partnership with Research In Motion and position us to take better advantage of attractive investments in one of the fastest growing mobile computing markets in the world," said Kevin Talbot co-managing partner of BlackBerry Partners Fund.
"China Broadband Capital Partners is pleased to work with BlackBerry Partners Fund to explore investment opportunities and promote the development of mobile technologies and applications in China," said Edward Tian, Chairman of China Broadband Capital Partners. "BlackBerry Partners Fund China represents an incredible opportunity to support technology entrepreneurs in China who are shaping the future of mobile computing, and we look forward to making the Fund the leading investment vehicle for mobile in China."
"Edward Tian is a thought leader not only in China's venture capital market but also on the global stage," said John Albright, co-managing partner of BlackBerry Partners Fund. "He and his team of highly experienced investors bring invaluable local experience to our global fund."
About BlackBerry Partners Fund China
BlackBerry Partners Fund China is the leading independent venture capital firm focused on mobile computing in the People's Republic of China. The fund is the exclusive China affiliate of the BlackBerry Partners Fund. With offices in Beijing, Shanghai, and Hong Kong, the fund leverages the unparalleled domain expertise of Research In Motion, the foresight and investment savvy of the BlackBerry Partners Fund team and China Broadband Capital's proven track record in China's telecom, Internet, broadband, media and technology sectors. Further information is available at http://www.bbpfchina.com.
About China Broadband Capital Partners
CBC is a China-based private equity firm focused on media and communications investments. Since the firm was founded in 2006, CBC has been recognized as one of the most influential investors in telecom, Internet, broadband, media and technology sectors in China. With its strong industry expertise and connections, the firm has enabled multiple value creation for its portfolio companies and established a leading position in investment in media and communications sectors. Further information is available at http://www.cbc-capital.com
About BlackBerry Partners Fund
BlackBerry Partners Fund is the leading independent venture capital firm focused exclusively on mobile computing. The Fund invests in companies that support the mobile ecosystem, including hardware and software to enable the mobile Internet, mobile applications and mobile computing infrastructure. In collaboration with Research In Motion, the global fund brings capital, resources and unparalleled domain expertise to the partnerships it forms with exceptional entrepreneurs around the world who are shaping the future of the mobile market. For further information visit:
www.blackberrypartnersfund.com
The BlackBerry and RIM families of related marks, images and symbols are the exclusive properties and trademarks of Research In Motion Limited. RIM assumes no obligations or liability and makes no representation, warranty, endorsement or guarantee in relation to any aspect of any third party products or services.
Media Contacts:
Jodi Echakowitz
Echo Communications (for BlackBerry Partners Fund)
+1 (905) 709-9600
jodi@echo-communications.com
Ruizhuo Yu
CBC Capital
+852 2877-8411
yurz@cbc-capital.co