Intel invests in Virtual Iron

Intel has invested in Virtual Iron Software, a company whose software lets an application run on a virtual foundation that can be anything from a fraction to a server or a group of machines. The chipmaker led an $8.5 million third-round investment in the Acton, Mass.-based company. Other investors in the round are Goldman Sachs, Highland Capital Partners and Matrix Partners.

Virtual Iron will use the funding for product development and marketing, including a collaboration with Intel. Intel also invested in SWsoft, another company whose software virtualizes server resources to make them more flexible.