By targeting "developing technologies, platforms or business models with a strong strategic fit with NBC Universal" — then paying up to $15 million for each opportunity that passes muster — the General Electric Co. units are playing catch-up with other conglomerate-size strategics. Among existing entries are Time Warner Investments, which began life as the venture capital arm of America Online Inc.; Steamboat Ventures, which the Walt Disney Co. founded in 2000 but kept from investing until 2002; and Comcast Interactive Media, which the largest U.S. cable company set up in 2005 to, in its words, "develop compelling online interactive services."
None of those companies have made much of an impact with their venture funds, so there's plenty of room for the GE/NBCU vehicle to differentiate itself. Beth Comstock (pictured above), President of integrated media at NBCU, said the goal of the fund is to gain access to and influence cutting edge media technology.
The main question for all these media funds is what happens when times get tougher? Where do these venture funds rank on the list of corporate initiatives most likely to be eliminated as part of overall cost cuts? Instead of launching a fund during good times, it might make more sense to launch one during tough times when valuations and competition are lowest.