Transport

Chief executive Tomoko Inoue describes her unit’s core interests and how it interacts with entrepreneurs.

SAIC Motor's Shang Qi Capital unit has raised $145m for the automotive technology-focused fund, which includes Shinry Technologies, Shanghai Diesel Engine and SAIC Capital as LPs.

Since the beginning of 2018, a fifth of all corporate investors whose deals we track appear to be newcomers.

Each Friday the Global Corporate Venturing Deal Net rounds up the week’s smaller deals and tracks the emerging companies accessing corporate funds.

Toyota will invest $600m into Didi Chuxing and form a joint venture also involving GAC Toyota Motor that will be focused on vehicle-related services for ride hailing drivers.

Cambridge-founded touchscreen sensor manufacturer CTT has added $10m from investors including chemicals firm Kureha to its coffers.

The Simon-backed e-scooter rental service is looking to boost its valuation to $2.5bn through a series D round that could be up to $300m in size.

Toyota Tsusho, WR Berkley and Volvo Cars have co-led a $31m round for the AI-powered vehicle inspection technology provider that followed $4.5m of seed funding.

Mitsui has invested $14.5m in SmartE, which will use the proceeds to expand its fleet of electric-powered rickshaws and strengthen its charging infrastructure.

CMU-founded road surface analytics technology creator RoadBotics has now raised at least $11.4m, having signed up Radical Ventures and Hyperplane VC to its series A.

Blackstone will purchase the advertising platform Vungle in a deal giving exits to corporates Alphabet and Verizon.