Energy

The energy storage startup has secured Engie, the utility previously known as GDF Suez, as an investor in a DBL Partners-led round.

Qualcomm Ventures, Sapphire Ventures, which has SAP as its sole limited partner, Softbank Corporation and US financial firm SVB Financial were big winners from the floatation of the fitness tracking business last week.

Global Corporate Venturing tracked six direct investments linked to oil and gas corporate venturing units. There was also one undisclosed fund investment by Chevron Technology Ventures, the sponsor of our research, and an exit by Statoil Technology Ventures.

Equity crowdfunding platform OurCrowd has launched a $10m fund targeting seed-stage companies.

SoftBank took a 20% stake in the Korea-based e-commerce company, as part of a long term strategy that could see it become the world's largest e-commerce player.

Harju Elekter led the ultracapacitor manufacturer's series B round, which will support an expansion in its workforce and production capabilities.

Accelerators are increasing their startup impact through corporate backing. The rapid growth in numbers is raising questions of results and sustainability.

Early Stage Report 2015: Investors are open to new and good ideas from anywhere. Raising awareness about entrepreneurship in academia is paramount. Positive trends increasing business orientation, building networks with industry and entrepreneurs as well as co-operation. Challenges remain with expectation discrepancies.