June 2012 – Page 2

AEP commits to Braemar

The $300m Braemar Energy Ventures III fund will invest in venture and expansion-stage energy technology companies that serve the conventional and alternative energy markets.

The $37bn Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the world’s largest philanthropic organisation, reportedly plans to take equity stakes in up to a dozen biotech companies this year in a quasi-corporate venturing model, following moves by peers including Wellcome Trust and Novo. Trevor Mundel, the Gates Foundation’s recently appointed head of global health, told news provider… Continue reading Gates begins venturing

Cliqr Technologies searches for Google

Cliqr Technologies, a US-based provider of services for applications, has raised $1m in its seed round from corporate venturing unit Google Ventures and venture capital firm Foundation Capital.

G-Mobi connects with SingTel

News provider Nikkei had earlier said SingTel would take 12% with Mitsui taking 19%.

Tencent merges deals portfolios

Tencent, a China-listed media group, has merged two of its corporate venturing portfolio companies into one local discount coupon provider. Tencent’s Gaopeng China joint venture with US-listed discount coupon provider Groupon has merged with peer FTuan. Groupon will be a minority shareholder in the new company, which will continue to operate both the Gaopeng and FTuan brands,… Continue reading Tencent merges deals portfolios

Hooper leaves Cisco

Ned Hooper (pictured), head of corporate development and chief strategy officer at computer equipment provider Cisco, is leaving after 14 years to set up an investment fund. Cisco’s corporate development group is responsible for business development activities including acquisitions, $2bn of equity investments and the incubation of technologies for the company’s “build, buy, partner” innovation… Continue reading Hooper leaves Cisco

Blueprint exits SpectraSensors

Endress+Hauser, a family-owned Switzerland-based industrial group, has acquired corporate venturing-backed SpectraSensors.

Just Dial raises $70m

Just Dial, an India-based search engine backed by Germany-based technology company SAP, has postponed its planned-flotation announced in August last year in favour of raising R327 crore ($70m) from its existing investors. Venture capital firm Sequoia Capital led the round – which involved selling shares from existing investors – with an investment of R305 crore,… Continue reading Just Dial raises $70m

Xiaomi raises $216m

Series C round comes in at a $4bn valuation.

IQ Engines recognises Motorola

IQ Engines, a US-based application to recognise images on phones, has raised $3.8m in its series B round from venture capital firm Third Point Ventures and Motorola Solutions Venture Capital, the corporate venturing unit of the eponymous US-listed telecoms equipment maker. IQ previously raised $1m in it’s a round in June 2010. IQ Engines’ image… Continue reading IQ Engines recognises Motorola

Cooliris calls up Docomo Capital

The investment will help Cooliris expand in the Japanese market.

HTGF turns arm over for Topsfield

High-Tech Gruenderfonds (HTGF), a German state and corporate-backed seed investor, has provided an undisclosed amount to Topsfield Medical, a local medical device company founded in February. Matthias Dill, Investment manager at HTGF, said: “Topsfield’s technology addresses the strong medical need for shoulder implants with an increased lifetime. We like the fact that the founders have… Continue reading HTGF turns arm over for Topsfield

Delhivery finds time in India

After launching with phonemaker Nokia, Indiatimes, which had been working with Delhivery for 11 months prior to the investment, plans to launch branded commerce stores in August.

DuMont Schauberg steps out with Doo

Alongside DuMont Venture in the round were venture capital firms Target Partners and E42 Ventures and angel investors.