Sector's venturing activity gathers steam.

Intel Capital, the corporate venturing unit of chipmaker Intel, has been investing in clean-tech for five years.

The convergence of companies from the information technology sector with industrial and energy-focused incumbents is helping pick up some of the slack after a crisis of confidence has affected venture capital firms.

Global Agenda Council on Emerging Technologies at the World Economic Forum list its top 10 - image from last year's tech pioneer.

Nanotechnology does come with considerations, notably environmental, health and safety issues. But correctly managed such risks do not stand in the way of nanotech's economic and industrial future.

The top executive at the corporate venturing unit of the chemical maker reportedly says he is considering opening an office on the Chinese mainland, which follows the firm opening in Boston this year.

Nova External Venturing, the Saint-Gobain corporate venturing unit, is looking for innovations in construction products, advanced materials, energy efficiency and environmental sustainability

The round was led by Canada-based investment firm Northwater Capital's Intellectual Property Fund with participation by existing investors, venture capital firm TL Ventures and DuPont Capital Management, which invests on behalf of US-based chemical company DuPont's pension fund.

Johnson Controls reportedly invests in Nth Power's planned $200m fund and also takes a $5m stake in US-listed Azure Dynamics.