Sunnyvale, CA — (press release excerpt) — MontaVista Software announced that it has received an equity investment from Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. (MEI) through its subsidiary, Panasonic Digital Concepts Center (PDCC).

“As embedded applications become more network oriented, consumer electronics companies are looking to Linux as a robust and cost-effective development platform,” said Charles C. Wu, Managing Director, Investments, of PDCC. “Panasonic Digital Concepts Center recognizes the tremendous traction that MontaVista has gained in the increasingly important area of embedded software solutions. We look forward to a strategic relationship that will meld MontaVista Software's strengths with Panasonic's global leadership in consumer electronics.”

“Consumer electronics and communications infrastructure are the two markets we believe hold the most opportunity for Linux,” said Jim Ready, MontaVista CEO and embedded industry pioneer. “Manufacturers of high-volume, competitively priced consumer electronics devices especially appreciate the non-proprietary nature of Linux, which does not lock them in to paying royalties and licensing fees.”

MEI joins a list of high-profile investors, including IBM, Sony, US Venture Partners, and others who also invested in MontaVista Software in its third round of funding announced earlier this year.

 
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