The NREP-founded Urban Sustainability Technology Fund has reached a final close having received backing from investors including Novo and Toyota unit Woven Capital.

UOB and the venture firm’s joint vehicle has reportedly reached a first close sized at more than half its ceiling and is on its way to a final close later this year.

The insurer has pledged $13.5m to startup accelerator and incubator Founders Factory through a partnership modelled after a similar five-year initiative in 2016.

Shernaz Daver, formerly an advisory partner at GV, has joined the venture firm as a senior operating partner and CMO to assist its expansion and growth projects.

The insurance subsidiary of financial services provider Fubon has acquired a 0.65% stake in Tiger Global’s XV fund after a similar deal for its IV vehicle earlier this year.

Boehringer Ingelheim Venture Fund and Pierre Fabre have made capital commitments to Advent France Biotechnology’s second fund.

SBI Ven Capital’s newly formed joint venture with Sygnum and Azimut will take part in crypto-oriented deals covering areas such as DLT and decentralised finance.

The venture firm hired new director Asif Giga, who has worked at corporate VC units Ericsson Ventures, Experian Ventures and Singtel Innov8 Ventures.

The firm has signed up Facebook, Airbnb, Carousell, Grab and Stripe for a first fund which has reached a $21.9m close.

Q&A with Andrew Casey, corporate development deal lead, Vanguard Strategic Business Development