Services

Salesforce Ventures led a round valuing the customer engagement software company at $21bn while Zoom continued to grow its corporate venturing bonafides.

Since its passage, the Bayh-Dole Act has bolstered US economic output by up to $1.7 trillion, supported 5.9 million jobs and helped lead to more than 14,000 spinouts.

Professional education provider Platzi pulled in $60m through a Prosus-led round while e-commerce software producer Marketplacer took in $38m from investors including Salesforce Ventures.

Salesforce Ventures helped supply $62m for business intelligence software developer Klue while GS Retail invested $55m in mobility services provider Kakao Mobility.

The semiconductor producer completed a nine-figure series C round from investors including SAIC Motor. This is a deal from the semiconductor and chips space, which does not normally see many corporate-backed deals but our data suggest valuations are currently experiencing upward pressure.

The Access Industries and Grupo Wiese-backed workspace and short-term accommodation service is merging with BOA Acquisition Corp in a reverse takeover at a valuation of about $1.2bn.

SoftBank Vision Fund 2 invested in sneaker marketplace operator Soda at a $336m valuation while university application platform developer CollegeDekho increased its series B round to $35m.

Q&A with Sergio Escobar, CEO and managing director, BCF Ventures

Mercedes-Benz and Stellantis made strategic investments in advanced battery developer Factorial Energy while celluar therapy developer Mana Therapeutics closed its $42m series A round.

SoftBank Vision Fund 2 has returned to back the temporary staffing service’s latest round, with the funding secured at a $2.35bn valuation.

The truck management technology received the funding in a series B round backed by Flexport at an $850m valuation.