Zencoder, a US-based encoder of videos which search engine Google has on its website a portfolio company, has raised $2m.

Crunchfund, a venture firm set up with the backing of technology company AOL, reportedly helps Heavy Bits, the company which makes Snapguide, a how to guide for photography, raise $5m.

The University of Washington's venture fund is set to deploy the money during four years.

The biopharmaceutical company which is a spin-out from the University of Bath relocates to the North-East of England.

St Louis University's alumni's Billiken Angels Network backs a photo sharing company set up by one of the US-based university's graduates.

Shape has also recruited former Google 'click fraud czar,' Shuman Ghosemajumder.

The fund backed by various UK banks invests in the fast-growing fancy dress company which has grown its revenues more than nine times in two years.