Sierra Ventures has entered into a strategic relationship with Shanghai-based Gobi Partners.
Gobi's first fund is now capitalized at approximately US$50 million and focuses on early-stage technology-related investments in China.
As part of Sierra's investment in the Gobi Fund, both Ben Yu and Peter Wendell of Sierra Ventures will serve as Special Advisors to Gobi's investment committee.
Gobi has three general partners, Wai Kit Lau, Thomas Tsao, and Lawrence Tse, all of whom have substantial past investing experience in China. The Gobi firm has a total of eight investing professionals resident in Shanghai.
Gobi has a special interest in the digital media sector, including content creation, delivery, access and applications.
Sierra, The McGraw-Hill Companies, and several other limited partners participated in the Gobi Fund's recent second closing, following earlier investments from IBM, NTT DoCoMo, and others.