Partech Ventures has closed the $227m first tranche of its Partech Growth fund, which is backed by AG2R La Mondiale, CNP Assurances, Carrefour, Ingenico and Renault.

Education publisher Pearson has committed an additional $50m to its Africa and Asia-focused Affordable Learning Fund.

The US-based company, the manufacturer of floor cleaning robot the Roomba, will invest up to $2m at a time and will fund up to 10 startups each year.

The aerospace company has provided $375,000 for the project, which will help develop the UK's cybersecurity startup sector.

Orange Digital Ventures will fund early-stage companies in the telecommunications and digital technology sectors.

Johnson & Johnson and Takeda are among the investors committing $28m to fund graduates from the Israel-based programme.

The fitness equipment company has co-launched an accelerator that will target health and wellness technology startups.