Fender Musical Instruments Corp pulls the plug on its initial public offering, citing unfavourable market conditions as the cause.

Vodafone bought a 21% stake in Invitation Digital in May last year and also has the first option to increase its direct shareholding in the future.

Founded last year, Telstra Applications and Ventures Group provided an undisclosed multi-million dollar amount to Dimmi and earlier in the month introduced its BigPond Dining website in collaboration with the new portfolio company.

Germany-based accommodation website 9flats, backed by the corporate venturing unit of Deutsche Telekom, snaps up Canadian rival iStopOver to expand its reach in North America.

Mobile payments start-up Square has attracted a $25m Series D investment from US-based coffee retailer Starbucks.

David Pierson joins Syngenta Ventures after seven years as a partner at US-based Intersouth