Energy

Invest in a business development function — early. Be creative with funding and careful with how your strategic value is measured.

Pfizer Ventures has led a $102m series A for Capstan Therapeutics while Globis Capital Partners took part in an $85.4m round for Andpad.

Spinouts working on ketamine-based therapeutics, regenerative medicines for dogs and better sleep are among those that caught our eye this month.

The global food system is creaking — creating an impetus for global agriculture companies to invest in new solutions. Corporates took part in agtech deals worth a record $18bn last year. But are they investing fast enough?

David Clouse, a GCV Emerging Leader this year while at BP Ventures, will lead EIC Rose Rock, a $50m fund backed by Devon Energy, Onoek and Williams.

Alphabet led a $1bn round for its Verily subsidiary while Kimco Realty and The Silverman Group were part of Gotham Greens’ $310m series E.

Corporates have dramatically slowed down the rate at which they invest in startups, except in these two sectors.

Investment is building again in the sector after a lull, but big companies are hedging their bets on which type of aircraft will work best.

Lab-grown milk is becoming commercially viable — and studies have shown that consumers aren’t averse to it. So, is it time for corporate investors to back these startups?