Pear, the venture firm formerly known as Pejman Mar Ventures, has secured University of Chicago as a limited partner for its $75m second fund.

The university has joined forces with Connecticut Innovations and Webster Bank for a $1.5m fund aimed at local spinouts and startups.

The digital health fund, launched by Astellas Pharma and MPM Capital late last month, will initially look to invest up to $6m in two to three deals per year.

As figures reveal 811 European firms participated in 2680 deals since early 2015, Cambridge has raised a $90m fund and the Chinese government is aiming for a $30bn vehicle.

R/GA Ventures and Interpublic have launched an initiative called R/GA Marketing Tech Venture Studio aimed at startups exploiting AI and machine learning technologies.

New investors include hedge fund Winton Ventures, state-backed Oman Investment Fund and fund manager Woodford Investment Management.

The corporates are collaborating with the Malaysian government's MaGIC initiative to help local startups learn about product, customers and marketing.

Corporates including Yahoo Japan and Tokyo Broadcasting System have contributed to the $50m first close of the VC partnership between Keio University and securities brokerage Nomura.

Corporates including Yahoo Japan and Tokyo Broadcasting System have contributed to the $50m first close of the VC partnership between securities brokerage Nomura and Keio University.