Oracle Starts Fund to Invest in Net Firms

Oracle Corp., the largest maker of database software, said it will start a $100-million venture capital fund to invest in small Internet companies developing products and services that work with its flagship software product. Oracle said it hopes to cooperate with other venture capital firms to support companies focusing on products for selling goods and managing information online. Oracle said candidates for funding should base their technology on its Oracle 8i database software. The Redwood Shores-based company said funding recipients will get access to Oracle’s marketing expertise, technology, developers and preview versions of new software. Oracle hopes to fund small companies to keep up with the latest developments and increase demand for its software. Oracle fell $1.13 to close at $44.63 on Nasdaq.