Eli Groner, former director-general at the office of the prime minister of Israel, has been hired by Koch Disruptive Technologies as an Israel-based managing director.

Ascletis has led new strategic partner 3-V Biosciences' $18m series E round, which included existing investors New Enterprise Associates and Kleiner Perkins.

Egis Technology, TowerJazz, Meyer Corporation and Linear Dimensions have provided $13.2m for AI-in-sensor processor developer AIStorm.

Siemens Technology Accelerator venture director Nico Straub has taken a partner position at Bioventure Consulting after nearly six years at the unit.

SoftBank is reportedly in talks to lead a $500m round for shipping services platform Flexport at a possible valuation of $3bn.

The conglomerate has paid approximately $256m for a 20% stake in smart energy distributor and technology provider Ovo Energy.

Existing backer Sina returned a second time to lead a $95m series D round for autonomous truck developer TuSimple, which has now raised a total of $178m from investors also including Nvidia.

Bloomberg-backed data analytics platform InfluxData has completed a $60m series D round led by Norwest Venture Partners, almost doubling its overall funding in the process.

LG Technology Ventures, BMW i Ventures and Toyota AI Ventures have contributed to a $22m round that increased the shuttle bus provider's total funding to $37m.

Trade body Association of International Certified Professional Accountants has selected fintech startups Gappify, Client Hub and Dryrun as winners in its 2019 accelerator cohort.