Desktop Metal, backed by a large consortium of corporates, will merge with special purpose acquisition company Trine to list on the NYSE at a $2.5bn valuation.

Every day, Global University Venturing rounds up the smaller investments from across the university innovation ecosystem in its deal net.

Takasago Thermal Engineering and Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance made strategic investments in the moon exploration business, which has now raised $125m in total.

The bioengineered materials producer hiked its overall funding to $54m in a series B round featuring Wilbur-Ellis unit Cavallo Ventures.

BIG-Bjarke Ingels Group and Citi were among the participants in a round that will fund hiring, as Icon prepares to expand its portfolio of 3D-printed homes.

Tsinghua-backed Rokae is working on lightweight robots with a wide range of applications and has now raised $43.5m altogether.

Suzhou HYC Technology participated in a $15.9m round for the smart manufacturing technology provider, which counts CAS Star as an early backer.

Italian tech transfer fund Eureka has attracted an initial $44.9m from LPs including Umbra Group and Saes Group to invest in engineering and materials spinouts.

Meituan Dianping followed a $15m investment in the delivery robotics technology developer by participating in its $14.5m series B-plus round.

Suzhou HYC Technology participated in a $15.9m round for the smart manufacturing technology provider, which counts Guolian Group and SBI as early backers.