3M has led a first close of a series C round that will fund grid control technology developer Varentec's international expansion.

Qualcomm, Autodesk, Alexander Schneider and Israel Electric Company were among the existing investors in a $60m acquisition by utility Direct Energy.

Exelon, E.On and RWE are among the backers of a $16.6m series B round for energy usage analytics provider Bidgely.

Louis Dreyfus Holding has committed $10m to Nisaba, also backed by private equity firm Bamboo Finance, which will fund agribusinesses in sub-Saharan Africa.

The off-grid solar power supplier has now raised almost $48m altogether, with SolarCity investing in the company for a third time.

Solid state battery developer Sakti3 had raised about $50m from investors including General Motors, Itochu and Dyson, now its new owner.

National Grid, Southern Company and Xcel Energy have committed capital to a fund launched by Energy Impact Partners that will invest in sustainable and efficient energy technology.

Tom Whitehouse, contributing editor, and chairman of London Environmental Investment Forum, explores trends in cleantech.

Siemens and Statkraft combined to support a series B round that boosted the smart thermostat developer's overall funding to more than $35m.

The biotechnology company will look to make impact investments through the Diva non-profit incubator in partnership with corporates.