Q&A with Naoki Kamimaeda, partner and Europe office representative, Global Brain

Le Groupe Bel, AAK, Meiji, Bühler and Tyson Foods all contributed to the firm's debut fund, which is targeting plant-based food developers.

Venture firm Launchpad Capital has been founded by Ryan Gilbert after five years as a general partner for BBVA-backed Propel Venture Partners.

Jackie Kossmann, who joined Applied Ventures in 2017 and won a GCV Rising Stars award in January, will be an investor at In-Q-Tel.

The venture firm, backed by Mayo Clinic for its first fund, is reportedly seeking $350m to $500m for its sophomore vehicle.

The internet-of-things provider will back companies in similar sectors through the vehicle, launched in partnership with Hillhouse Capital.

Lockheed Martin has returned to invest in Main Sequence Ventures’ second fundraise having previously committed to its Csiro-mandated first fund.

Saint-Gobain has contributed to Richland Capital’s third fund, joining fellow corporate investors Asahi Kasei and Solvay.

Limited partners include drugs maker Pfizer, and healthcare-focused JSR Group and Lonza.

Microsoft is among the limited partners for venture firm Congruent Ventures’ latest sustainability-focused fund.