French regional tech transfer offices IDF Innov, Satt Lutech and Satt Paris-Saclay have joined forces with Paris Region Enterprises and French Tech Hub to launch an innovation imitative.

The Alstom, Solvay and Schneider Electric-sponsored venture firm has closed new financing, bringing the total under its management to about $590m.

Bayerische Patentallianz, the tech transfer organisation for institutions in Bavaria, has welcomed Robert Phelps as its managing director.

Imec spinout LynxCare has collected funding from investors including government-owned PMV and VLaio.

The incubator will welcome spinouts from seven universities to its program, set to launch in mid-October.

Touchstone Innovations has co-led a $6.75m series A round for edtech developer Sam Labs after it pumped $2.9m into the business in May 2016.

Bill Gates has invested $50m in the corporate-backed fund, which is financing treatments and technologies to fight dementia.