Startups

Alibaba's $1.5bn acquisition of digital navigation service AutoNavi shows that diversification is as important for China-based internet companies as their western counterparts.

The solar installer's $70m round, which featured GE and E.ON, indicates the entry of large corporate venture capitalists into the rooftop sector.

The finalists for our awards on May 20 have now been selected. Please do let us know who you think should win.

Will it ever be game over for the meteoric rise of the computer
games industry?

Much eye-catching activity in the consumer sector is coming
from Asian markets, both in terms of the level of corporate
venturing investment by native groups and the investment in
high-growth winners in those markets.

This is promising for other groups, such as Canada and South Africa-based energy groups Cenovus and Sasol, which have decided against continuing or forming a formal corporate venturing programme, senior executives at both companies said.

Four years after establishing the European branch of electronics producer Samsung's corporate venturing arm, Michael Jeon will be moving to the US to oversee its mobile and digital investments.

Notably many large deals this year are now happening in China rather than in the US, as a potential reflection of its larger market for internet users and competitive ecosystem.

Our map shows activity by sector. We will be expanding this into a more in-depth data analysis every month from the next issue.