Yamato joined Global Logistic Properties and Globis to back the white and brown goods leasing and rent-to-buy marketplace, as the sector gains momentum in Japan and the wider Asia region.

The customer engagement software provider’s Twilio Ventures unit is the latest SaaS-focused corporate VC fund, following recent initiatives by Hubspot and Zoom.

Incode and Odyssey Therapeutics each secured over $200m while Alvotech Holdings, BenevolentAI and Tomorrow.io have agreed reverse mergers at unicorn valuations.

Salesforce Ventures led a round valuing the customer engagement software company at $21bn while Zoom continued to grow its corporate venturing bonafides.

Professional education provider Platzi pulled in $60m through a Prosus-led round while e-commerce software producer Marketplacer took in $38m from investors including Salesforce Ventures.

Salesforce Ventures helped supply $62m for business intelligence software developer Klue while GS Retail invested $55m in mobility services provider Kakao Mobility.

The Access Industries and Grupo Wiese-backed workspace and short-term accommodation service is merging with BOA Acquisition Corp in a reverse takeover at a valuation of about $1.2bn.

SoftBank Vision Fund 2 invested in sneaker marketplace operator Soda at a $336m valuation while university application platform developer CollegeDekho increased its series B round to $35m.

Q&A with Sergio Escobar, CEO and managing director, BCF Ventures

Mercedes-Benz and Stellantis made strategic investments in advanced battery developer Factorial Energy while celluar therapy developer Mana Therapeutics closed its $42m series A round.