Data centres need a revamp to allow for the high-speed data processing artificial intelligence requires — and light is key to the transition.
Category: In-Depth
EVs trump driver assistance tech in auto sector’s future
Investors are prioritising vehicle electrification over advanced driver-assistance technology as countries rush to adopt EV targets, according to Denso’s Tony Cannestra.
Our Next Energy claims its batteries can push EVs to 600+ miles
The Michigan-based startup believes a dual-cell, dual chemistry battery pack can dramatically increase the range of electric cars.
The battery startups offering alternatives to lithium
New energy storage technologies are charging ahead as the supply of commonly used materials face a supply crunch.
What the world could learn from China’s supercluster strategy
China has a policy of superclusters to drive growth and is increasingly incorporating corporate venture capital initiatives into these clusters.
CVC investing declines 57% in value during Q3
The value of corporate-backed deals slumped in the third quarter, but sectors like energy and telecoms bucked the trend as did a few geographies like Israel.
Investments in telecoms startups halved in 2021
Corporate investors shied away from big funding rounds for telecoms startups, with the value of deals down to $2.42bn in 2021 from $5.14bn the year before.
Telecoms incumbents part of $50bn worth of exits in 2021
Telecoms companies had 91 exits for their portfolio companies last year, with an estimated total value of $50bn.
5G starts to pull telecoms sector out of investment doldrums
Two main forces are shaping investment in the telecoms sector. On the one hand, one of the most active telecoms sector investors, SoftBank, has suffered $23bn losses, as reported by the New York Times, and is pulling back on investment activity. At the same time, 5G telecoms networks are finally becoming extensive enough to create… Continue reading 5G starts to pull telecoms sector out of investment doldrums
Can record investment in agtech fix global food insecurity?
The global food system is creaking — creating an impetus for global agriculture companies to invest in new solutions. Corporates took part in agtech deals worth a record $18bn last year. But are they investing fast enough?
Nuclear fusion is getting hot for investors — here’s why
It is an old joke that nuclear fusion power is 30 years away, and always will be. The joke is now looking outdated as the technology finally reaches a stage where investors feel comfortable writing cheques for hundreds of millions of dollars towards its development.
Is balance sheet investing really so unfavourable?
For corporate venturers, is it better to invest directly from a corporation’s balance sheet or from a stand-alone fund?
Semiconductors: “Tectonic shifts” are reviving investor interest
Corporate investors are looking at silicon photonics, AI chips and semiconductor packaging as the hot new areas for investment. Dede Goldschmidt has worked in venture capital for decades but does not remember seeing so many potential investment opportunities. “We have a significant pipeline of potential semiconductor-related investments. It is quite amazing. I don’t recall… Continue reading Semiconductors: “Tectonic shifts” are reviving investor interest
Renewable hydrogen takes centre stage in clean energy shift
In May this year, the European Union (EU) set out its plan to eliminate its dependence on Russian fossil fuels by 2030. Its REPowerEU directive put hydrogen at the forefront of its clean energy transition. The €300bn ($310bn) strategy drastically scales up the use of renewable hydrogen, calling for the import of 10 million… Continue reading Renewable hydrogen takes centre stage in clean energy shift