Merck Global Health Innovation Fund to be initial partner for new innovation track.

As well as contributing part of the seed portfolio, SSE has committed to subscribe for up to 43 million ordinary shares.

Providence is investing in the NFL partnership vehicle from its sixth fund VI, according to news provider peHUB.

The MercadoLibre Commerce Fund will look for early-stage technologies based at least in part on the MercadoLibre ecosystem.

Steve Garnett, Europe Middle East and Africa chairman of Salesforce, said: "Salesforce is excited to join forces with leading European venture capital firms to launch the Innovation Challenge and reward Europe's top entrepreneurs and enable them to accelerate their innovation and time to market."