Consumer

The dollar valuation of corporate-backed deals in the energy sector dropped sharply in Q2. Cleantech deals are the only exception.

There has never been a better time for corporates to invest in this sector, says Meghan Sharp, Global head of Decarbonization Partners.

But there are other benefits for both sides, researchers find.

SAIC Motor’s Shang Qi Capital vehicle led RT Advanced Materials’ $740m series D round while Contentsquare pulled in $600m from investors including SoftBank Vision Fund 2.

The professional golfing body has joined forces with sport-focused firm Elysian Park Ventures to launch strategic fund EP Golf Ventures.

Eli Lilly and Illumina took part in liquid biopsy developer Delfi Diagnostics' $225m series B round while Sompo, Yamaha Motor and Bridgestone invested $87.8m in driverless vehicle software provider Tier IV.

Paul Jacquin, co-founder of Randstad Innovation Fund explains how to navigate — and invest in — the future of work.

"It's not the job of a corporation to emulate the investment strategy of a Silicon Valley VC," says change management consultant Greg Larkin.

An economic downturn is a great time to back startups on better terms. But investors should be careful of the tricky politics of down rounds.

Klarna's 83% drop in valuation to $6.7bn is the most visible harbinger of a buy now, pay later sector suffering from defaults and competition - some from the same corporates investing there.