The financial services provider, which already co-runs an accelerator with Techstars, will provide a debt-based alternative for UK-based technology companies.

Recruit took an 80% stake in the hair and beauty marketplace, buying out all other investors for $171m, and provided $46m in series D funding for Wahanda's expansion.

Goldman Sachs led the Rocket Internet-backed online food delivery service's series F round, increasing its overall funding to almost $320m.

LVMH-backed Groupe Arnault was among the investors in the personalised fashion e-commerce company's series C round, increasing its total funding to $60m.

Shareholder Johnson & Johnson bought stock in the molecular diagnostics technology provider as it floated in Brussels at a valuation of more than $500m.

The gene editing technology company has raised $64m to close its first two rounds, co-led by Celgene and GlaxoSmithKline-backed SR One, at $89m.

Oxford University Press bought the High-Tech Gruenderfonds-backed online language learning service for an undisclosed sum.

Proximus, the mobile subsidiary of telecommunications company Belgacom, invested in the startup alongside Catholic University of Louvain's spin-out fund.

E-commerce holding company Rocket Internet has participated in an $8.7m funding round for the second-hand vehicle online marketplace.