Alibaba's financial services affiliate has made an investment of undisclosed size in digital finance technology provider VFinance as part of a strategic partnership agreement.

The spinout of Heriot-Watt University has secured $1.3m in its latest funding round, which featured a mix of existing and new investors.

Scheer Holding has acquired a minority stake in Fanomena, which develops specialised software for the event organisers.

IP Group has participated in a $1.7m funding round for Eight19, a solar panel technology spinout of the Cambridge-backed Advanced Photovoltaic Research Accelerator.

Bertelsmann Asia Investments was among the investors in an eight-figure round that will support product development and the financial product provider's growth in Korea.

The Cronus Bike-backed bicycle sharing service has raised series B funding to expand its network of parking areas and upgrade its offering.

Safran Corporate Ventures joined the fibre optic technology developer's existing investors for a $5.7m round that will support international sales.

Safran Corporate Ventures joined the fibre optic technology developer's existing investors for a $5.7m round that will support international sales.

Cubic Telecom is in the process of closing another funding round, some two years after a $20m round backed by Audi Electronics Venture, Qualcomm and Sierra Wireless.

Intel, Juniper Networks and strategic partner IBM contributed to a round that increased Lightbend's overall funding to $52m.