Industrial

After four years leading Driscoll's agtech corporate venturing investments, Nolan Paul will now oversee Yamaha Motor Ventures' agricultural robotics and data activities.

Dentsu Ventures participated as a new investor, as food safety technology developer Clear Labs closed a series B2 round that took its funding to $45m in total.

Van Herk Ventures is one of three limited partners that helped the agrifood-focused venture fund reach a $22.7m second close a year after it was formed.

Archer Daniels Midland and Wilbur-Ellis have both invested in an $18.2m round for sustainable protein developer Geltor through their ADM Ventures and Cavallo Ventures units.

The University of Applied Sciences Technikum Wien spinout has secured a six-figure sum from state-owned fund aws Gründerfonds and Segnalita Ventures.

Nomura Holdings, Daiwa Securities, Mitsubishi UFJ, Sumitomo Mitsui Financial and Mizuho Financial will aim to raise up to $1.78bn for the fund, in partnership with China Investment Corporation.

Brazil-based fintech companies have been on the news in recent times, showing the potential of the South American country’s ecosystem.

The fund will invest in agritech companies connected to Brightlands, an ecosystem backed by Maastricht University, Zuyd University of Applied Sciences and Fontys University of Applied Sciences.

ZF Friedrichshafen has paid an undisclosed sum for a stake in engineering services provider ASAP Holding sized at over 35%.

The Flex spinoff is developing industrial robotics software and has secured $179m in a series A round led by Eclipse Ventures, which was founded by Flex alumnus Lior Susan.

The natural chemistry developer has increased its funding to $50m altogether, in a Kraft Group-backed round that will support an expansion into the textile industry.