Financial services provider AMP has launched a strategic corporate venturing unit to invest in digital businesses focused on areas including data analytics.

Renaissance Venture Capital raises $79m second fund with backing from Michigan State University.

Illumina Accelerator Boost Capital will invest up to $5m a time in graduates from biotech analysis company Illumina's accelerator programme.

The cybersecurity company will provide $80,000 in prize money to the top three startups, with a total of 40 places being made available.

The insurance provider will seek to invest in insurance, asset management, fintech and healthcare technology.

Engineering Capital founded with $32m backing from consortium including a university endowment.

Pereg Ventures, a newly launched venture firm targeting market intelligence and analytics startups, has raised $25m for its first fund from investors including Nielsen.

Sumitomo Electric Industries and KDDI are among the backers of a newly launched Japan-based fund that will invest in robotics startups.