The construction materials producer has formed an open innovation and venture investment unit and will launch a startup competition later this month.

Existing investors Schlumberger and Saudi Aramco returned to take part in a Tao Capital Partners-led round that boosted 908's overall funding to almost $48m.

The renewable chemicals technology developer, which counts Coca-Cola and Swire among its corporate shareholders, is now listed in Belgium and the Netherlands.

Kaloyan Andonov speaks to Markus Solibieda, managing director of BASF Venture Capital, the venturing arm of the Germany-based chemicals producer, joined the company last November and has now replaced Dirk Nachtigal, who built and ran the unit for 15 years.

VC firm Sofinnova Partners has invested in the biopesticide developer spun out of VIB, boosting a PMV-backed round to $11.7m.

VC firm Sofinnova Partners has invested in the biopesticide developer, boosting a Globachem-backed round to $11.7m.