The medical researcher is combining its Mayo Clinic Ventures unit with its Office of Business Development, through the newly formed Department of Business Development.

Batch 21 is looking for mobility services, machine learning, VR, robotics and additive manufacturing startups for the scheme, which is scheduled to start in April.

Cisco Investments has provided capital for the first fund to be raised by Egypt-based VC firm Algebra Ventures, helping it reach a $40m first close.

Grupo Algar's corporate venturing unit has joined the likes of Qualcomm, Microsoft, Monsanto and Agerio in Brazilian pre-acceleration fund BR Startups.

Mobile telecommunications network Zain has moved beyond its core markets in the Middle East and Eastern Europe with a strategic investment in the US venture fund.

The healthcare provider has launched a venture fund, Inova Strategic Investments, as well as an accelerator that will invest up to $325,000 in startups.

Microsoft expects the artificial intelligence fund to increase the rate of its investments, which now stands at 19 this year.

Bill Maris, managing partner of GV until August, has dropped plans for a healthcare fund despite having access to available capital, he has revealed.

Apple has reportedly held talks to provide $1bn for SoftBank's $100bn Vision Fund, which now looks likely to be oversubscribed.