Startups

The UK moves to second phase of quantum initiative, programme links universities to industries at tech hubs, ‘Ion traps’ alternative to superconductors are a key focus

China is benefiting from its government’s focus on artificial intelligence (AI) with unlisted companies having raised RMB203.7m ($30bn) in venture capital since 2016, according to Nikkei Asia Tech and 36kr.

Monthly report: November 2020

Deerfield Management is putting up $2bn for early-stage life sciences research through to 2030, but what does its involvement mean for its partner universities?

Innovative region: Texas

Special report: AI technologies present complex ethical challenges, early hopes for a multilateral governance framework, but delicate balance to avoid hampering innovative AI

Feature: Agriculture

Comment from Erin Boyd, Proseeder thought leader

The company priced an upsized IPO nearly doubling its valuation six months ago. It is part of a the food delivery space which was given a boost by the pandemic.

Cloud-based enterprise software producer Salesforce agreed to acquire Slack, the US-based publicly listed communication platform which previously counted telecoms firm SoftBank, internet conglomerate Alphabet and media group Comcast among its backers.

Property engine developer Homesnap agreed to a $250m cash acquisition by Real estate data provider CoStar Group. This is a notable exit in the space in which corporates have been actively investing over the past five years but there have not been many exits.