Investors put $565m into local mobile technologies

Investors put $565 million into local companies focused on mobile and wireless technologies during 2008, a big jump from the previous year, a new report said.

The report is from Mobile Monday Boston, the local chapter of a national organization for professionals in the mobile and wireless industries.

The Mobile Monday Boston figures included venture capital investment as well as acquisition dollars, said the group, which added that 2008's total of $565 million was a 45 percent increase over the 2007 total. The chart at right, which was included with the report, shows the annual investment in recent years in the local mobile and wireless technology space.

There are 24 different types of mobile companies in Boston, from advertising to location, social networking to infrastructure, enterprise to music, Mobile Monday Boston said; in 2002, only five local mobile companies received venture investment. Last year, 45 companies received investment, the organization added.

The report will be discussed at tonight's Mobile Monday Boston event, "Compelling Mobile Business Models," at 7 p.m. at the Langham Hotel in Boston, the group's press release said.

Please click here to view the report.
(By Chris Reidy, Globe staff)