Index Ventures, one of Europe’s biggest early-stage Internet investor, has closed a $460 million new fund. Skype represents Index’s most notable exit to date. The firm co-led Skype’s $18.8 million second round in March 2004, then cashed out with eBay.
Reuters: Besides the Web, the focus of investment is on life sciences, software and semiconductor start-ups. Other recent investments form the company include wireless firm FON and Rebtel, open-source software suppliers MySQL and Zend, and Internet services like Web desktop creator NetVibes, online betting exchange Betfair and music discovery site Last.fm.
Index is adding new partners including Saul Klein, VP of marketing at Skype. Klein, an entrepreneur, was founder of U.K. video rental company Video Island, an Index investment, before it merged into LoveFilm to become Europe’s biggest DVD rental and video download service.