The speciality chemicals developer will celebrate the launch of its first enzyme-manufactured chemical product, a grapefruit flavour and scent, during 2018.

MIT machine learning interface spinout Pienso has been backed by Eniac Ventures, SoftTech VC, Indicator Ventures and E14 Fund.

The University of Connecticut spinout has received $500,000 from state-owned firm Connecticut Innovations, and will now advance R&D on its protein-coated implant for eye diseases.

The Deakin University-backed accelerator has selected the first startups to join its program.

The unit is set to lead a $100m round for Horizon Robotics as part of $60m investment in data-focused companies, taking its total 2017 spending to almost $570m.

The cash will allow Aventamed to seek regulatory approvals to sell its Solo earplant device in the US, having already launched in European markets.