Global University Venturing

Mercia Technologies is now known as Mercia Asset Management, and has announced a $5.1m year-on-year increase in its portfolio value, up from a $3.9m increase in 2017-2018.

Power Resources Group has bought University of Cambridge-founded metal power producer Metalysis, which had plunged into administration last month.

Funded by University of Virginia and its government partners, the Catalyst Accelerator Program hopes to progress 20 early-stage business proposals by spring 2021.

Keio Innovation Initiative contributed to a $20m round that increased the total funding for medical access app developer CureApp, partially based on Keio University research, to nearly $39m.

Codiak BioSciences, based on research at the universities of Gothenburg and Texas, hoped to raise $86m in an initial public offering but has now withdrawn those plans.

University of Oxford's solar cell technology developer Oxford PV has closed a series D round featuring Meyer Burger, Equinor and Legal & General at $81.8m.

UTokyo Innovation Platform has contributed to a series A round for Connected Robotics, which develops cooking robots for restaurants.

Sompo Japan Nipponkoa led the Utec-backed autonomous vehicle software developer's series A round, which included Yamaha Motor, Aisan Technology and existing investor KDDI.

Susan Searle, chairwoman of Mercia Technologies and a GUV Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, has stepped down to be replaced by Ian Metcalfe.

Fredrik Järrsten has been named deputy chief executive in addition to his duties as chief financial officer, a position he has held since late 2017.

Vaxess Technologies has received the final tranche of its $8.2m series A round led by MIT-affiliated incubator and venture capital fund The Engine.