Mobile study platform StudyBlue secures $9m in series A investment which saw participation from the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation.

Indonesia-based e-commerce site Berrybenka.com raises an undisclosed amount in series A financing from the corporate venturing fund of social gaming company Gree.

US-based Independa has raised $5m in series A funding from existing investor City Hill Ventures, strategic partner LG Electronics USA and additional investors.

US-based biotech startup Solstice Biologics, which has an exclusive licence with University of California, San Diego, receives $18m series A investment.

XAnge invested E1m in Sculpteo with business angels and its founders providing the remainder.

UK-based web app Squawka has secured marketing strategy and services from ad agency Bartle Bogle Hegarty in return for a share of the business.

Qualcomm Ventures is joined in the series A backing the New York based weight loss company, by venture firms m8 Capital, Harbor Pacific Capital, and former executives of online gaming company Nexon.

Christopher Moran, general manager of Applied Ventures, says: "We are excited about Aventa's progress in developing critical manufacturing technology for this emerging alternative energy sector. HTS technology has tremendous potential, and we are pleased that this investment will be used to make advanced grid solutions more affordable."

The deal comes after Russia-based financial group Life established its corporate venturing in September of this year with an initial capital of $10m.