Intel's acquisition of Silicon Hive follows its corporate venturing unit's prior investment and as Intel Capital backs six more companies.

Intel Capital, the corporate venturing unit of US-listed chip firm Intel, is investing about $26m in six mobile technology start-ups, acquiring Silicon Hive and launching its Medfield semiconductor for mobile phones.

The acquisition of Silicon Hive follows the two companies’ technology collaboration for the Intel Atom semiconductor a year ago and Intel Capital leading a $7m round in October 2008 alongside venture capital (VC) firms New Venture Partners and TVM Capital. Netherlands-based conglomerate Royal Philips Electronics spun out Silicon Hive,…