In the first part of our look at 2021's corporate venturing trends, we examine the growth in funding, IPOs and SPAC mergers, a big year for M&A and the emergence of CVC in new sectors.

The corporate-backed image recognition technology producer has gone public in Hong Kong as the Chinese government introduces new regulations governing foreign IPOs.

Data storage technology producer Dera pulled in over $150m through a China Unicom-backed series C round while GlobalBees raised in excess of $110m in a round featuring SoftBank and FirstCry.

Multiple corporates have helped staffing software provider Paradox close a $200m series C round, and electronic parts maker BOE Technology is putting up about $47m in a Chinese state-backed vehicle.

Chinese drug discovery platform QureBio raised corporate funding last week while JD.com and Qi-Anxin Technology Group were among the LPs that helped set up the $470m Shoudu Pan Healthcare Industry Fund.

Drug development platform creator Xbiome has raised nearly $100m in series B funding while bioindustrial startup services provider 21st.Bio secured a similar amount from Novo.

SoftBank and Foxconn are both looking to sell shares in the offering, which could represent confirmation of a recovery for the once troubled e-commerce platform operator.

Corporate-backed unicorns Via and Cohesity have both confidentially filed to go public while autonomous driving technology developer Haomo.AI raised nearly $157m.

The move to develop ties between corporate investors and angels follows similar efforts in other countries.

Mobile wallet developer Momo grabbed $200m in a Mizuho Bank-led round valuing it above $2bn while silicon wafer producer Mieke pulled in $188m.