Startups

IQM Quantum Computers, a Finland-based quantum computing spinout of Aalto University and VTT Technical Research Centre, attracted a €39m ($46m) series A round from investors, including internet group Tencent.

China-based financial services provider Ant Group, spun off by e-commerce group Alibaba, intended to float on the Shanghai and Hong Kong stock markets.

Ant Group, the financial services subsidiary of China-based e-commerce group Alibaba, was due to raise a targeted $37bn in a dual listing in Shanghai and Hong Kong but the mega-initial public offering was unexpectedly blocked by an intervention from financial regulators in Beijing at the eleventh hour.

Expected budget for European Innovation Council of €3.5-4bn to entrepreneurs less than planned €10bn over the 2021-2027 period

Alibaba´s financial subsidiary Ant has received approval from regulators which will allow a dual listing on the Shanghai and Hong Kong stock exchanges and enable it to raise up to $35bn at a reported valuation of $250bn.

Tom Whitehouse, CEO at Leif Capital, moderated a discussion comparing cleantech investment with the first decade after the millennium.

Formed in the Big Bang, hydrogen is the most abundant element in the known universe and believed to comprise about 75% of matter. Hydrogen, therefore, is seen as one of the key elements in targeting net zero carbon emissions.

It is not an exaggeration to say that 2020 has been an eventful year for the oil and gas industry.

Quarterly report: Q3 2020

Monthly report: September 2020

Innovative region: Japan