Non-recyclable plastics making asphalt more sustainable and a vaccine to save the honeybee are just two of 10 inventions that caught our eye.

M12 has co-led a $34m round for Ox Security’s while SoftBank-backed Solfácil has upped its series C to $130m.

This week's key deals included Ryan Reynolds' Maximum Effort Holdings helping Bending Spoons raise $340m, while GV moves beyond its algorithm and Milan emerges as a startup hub.

Maximum Effort Holdings was part of a $340m round for Bending Spoons while Tencent and Block took part in Satispay's $310m series D.

Gradient Ventures and Workday Ventures were part of Flatfile’s $50m series B round while KPN Ventures is set to exit ZecOps through an acquisition.

VC-as-a-service is the latest evolution of CVC, says Reichert.

Jim Gable has returned to lead Chevron Technology Ventures at a time when the energy sector has many conflicting priorities.

Tata Digital provided $200m for BigBasket while Convivialité Ventures took part in an $80m series B round for Not So Dark.

Alex Sion, formerly head of market growth at Citi Ventures, has taken up a managing director role at Motive Create.

FTX-backed PayUp agreed to merge with IG Acquisition while multiple corporates participated in Line Man Wongnai’s $265m series B round.