Corporate VCs expect the needs of AI data centres and US deregulation to boost energy funding, with grid tech and nuclear among the winners.

Makowka will manage relationships with AHA Ventures portfolio companies.

From Northvolt’s staggering $14bn failure to crypto crashes and biotech struggles, 2024 has been a brutal year for corporate-backed startups facing financial, operational, and market pressures.

Large life sciences deals and corporate investors buying the companies in their own portfolio have been key to an improving exit market.

Many of the companies have financial and corporate venture backers, as businesses seek alternatives to single-use plastics.

The Nato Innovation Fund has made a dozen investments in dual-use technologies that are already deployed in areas of conflict and with allies' armed forces.

With the launch of its new fund, the Japanese insurer's corporate venturing unit has assets under management of $400m, up tenfold since its first fund.

There was a 62% jump in exits for corporate-backed startups in November, with IPOs and acquisitions across a range of geographies and sectors but also some notable bankruptcies.

Hondo Geurts and Mike Murray, both with decades of experience in the national security sector, joined Anzu-Green Critical Technologies Fund.

Scania’s loan will keep Northvolt operational during bankruptcy as it fights to survive.