Intel has announced a $3.5 billion fund backed by VC firms and other technology companies to invest in hi-tech in the US.

 

The Invest in America Alliance is aimed at providing “long-term investment in industries and talent poised to produce the next breakthroughs in technology innovation,” Intel said Tuesday.

 

The investments, including $200 million from Intel Capital, will target clean technology, IT and biotechnology.

 

“It would be a long-term mistake to let our future scientists and engineers sit idle after graduation,” said CEO Paul Otellini. “Today's announcements are both an investment in the country's innovators and a signal to the global marketplace about America's commitment to innovation and future competitiveness.”

 

Other venture capital firms and corporations are expected to join the alliance in the coming months, Intel said.

The $3.5 billion fund help create jobs in current market segments and also in newer industries such as molecular diagnostics, bioinformatics, electric vehicle ecosystem and wireless infrastructure.

 

The program has also won commitments from 17 technology firms – including Cisco, Dell, eBay and Google - to increase their hiring of college graduates.

 

Other investors in the fund are: Advanced Technology Ventures, Braemar Energy Ventures, Bridgescale Partners, Canaan Partners, DCM, Draper Fisher Jurvetson, Flywheel Ventures, Good Energies, Institutional Venture Partners, Investcorp Technology Partners, Khosla Ventures, Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, Menlo Ventures, Mohr Davidow Ventures, New Enterprise Associates, North Bridge Venture Partners, QuestMark Partners, Sevin Rosen Funds, Storm Ventures, Telesoft Partners, Updata Partners, US Venture Partners, Venrock and Walden International.