US-based Intel, the world's largest semiconductor company, said it has made its first major investment into a software company based in the Middle East, Gulf News has reported. The company, called Sphere Networks, which is located in Dubai Silicon Oasis, currently has a staff of 26 people and provides network management software. Current clients include municipalities in Saudi Arabia and Jordan and the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce. Feroz Sanaulla, Intel's director of capital for the region, said the investment represents a minority share. Intel will not be taking a managerial role with the company.