Salesforce has revealed a new investment vehicle, named Lightning Fund, and incubator that will focus on early-stage cloud startups.

Delft University of Technology's Robovalley centre co-creates a $112m robotics fund to support companies working to commercialise robotic technology.

Germany-based drugs group Merck Ventures now manages $340m.

The fund has been backed by a range of unnamed Asia-based conglomerates and will focus on technology startups.

Microsoft will invest directly in startups through a new fund called Microsoft Ventures, with the old Microsoft Ventures initiative renamed Microsoft Accelerator.

Rutgers University Business School contributed to the $23m first close of Newark Venture Partners, founded by Audible CEO Tom Katz.

Audible, Dun & Bradstreet, Prudential and Fidelco Realty all contributed to the $23m first close of Newark Venture Partners, founded by Audible CEO Tom Katz.