University of Minnesota has revealed it launched 18 spinouts during the past financial year, putting the total number at 119.

The Hut Group has paid an undisclosed amount to acquire Rocket Internet-backed cosmetics subscription service Glossybox in a deal that will help it grow geographically.

Smithfield Foods provided $25m of the cash for the ingredient delivery service's latest round, investing alongside Campbell Soup Company and Fresh Direct.

Birchbox, the beauty product subscription service that has raised $87m in financing from backers such as Comcast, has reportedly begun talks with retailers including Walmart over an acquisition.

Access Technology Ventures has invested $100m to lead a $300m round for smartphone maker Essential Products that included Tencent and Amazon Alexa Fund.

The fund has invested an amount reported to be at least $2.5bn in e-commerce marketplace Flipkart as part of a round already sized at $1.4bn.

SoftBank and its Vision Fund are reportedly set to combine for a $1bn investment in Fanatics that will value the sporting merchandise seller at $4.5bn.