Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Steamboat Backs Camera Maker GoPro

Burbank-based Steamboat Ventures, the venture capital arm of the Walt Disney Company, has backed Woodman Labs the parent firm of sports camera maker GoPro. Financial details of the investment were not disclosed. The WSJ first reported the investment Wednesday. GoPro recently acquired San Diego-based Cineform, a developer of video compression technology. It appears the investment was led by Steamboat's Beau Laskey. GoPro also has an office and staff in San Diego, in addition to the employees it acquired via the Cineform buy. GoPro's cameras are able to mount on helmets, surfboards, and other sports equipment in tough conditions. The company's headquarters are in Half Moon Bay. More information »