Services

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.

From applications in clinical areas such as diagnostics and drug discovery, to the chemical, manufacturing, retail and automotive sectors, artificial intelligence (AI) technologies have disrupted many traditional industries, opening new frontiers and driving the development of ground-breaking solutions.

AI Q4 2021 report editorial by James Mawson, editor in chief, Global Corporate Venturing

Haptic glove developer HaptX hiked a NetEase and Verizon-backed series A round to $28m while several corporates contributed to home care network Welmo's $18.1m series C round.