Financial services group Credem is among the investors in the accelerator, which was launched by CDP Venture Capital.

Edenred is backing Raise Ventures while Eurazeo has boosted its smart city fund, showing activity in the French ESG space.

A wave of corporate-backed launches are continuing to take place in the blockchain VC space despite concerns valuations in the sector have spiralled.

Prior to joining Evolv, Bill Pescatello, a former GCV Rising Stars award winner, had spent seven years at Lightbank

Cisco had agreed to back Jon Sakoda, founder of Decibel and a former GCV Rising Stars award winner.

Min Park had been president of SK Telecom Americas and run SK Telecom Ventures on behalf of the corporate.

SoftBank Vision Fund 2 helped blockchain technology provider Blockdaemon close a $207m series C round while Qualcomm-backed audio equipment brand BoAt is targeting $246m in its flotation.

Cathay Life Insurance is the latest in a string of Taiwan and China-based insurers to put money into external venture capital funds.

SoftBank's Vision Funds took part in a $260m series F round for online finance provider Creditas and led last-mile delivery service Paack's $225m series D.

Argo Blockchain is set to exit cryptocurrency technology developer Pluto Digital in a reverse takeover, as Blockchain Founders Fund gets corporate help for a $75m fund.