Transport

Cisco Investments helped internet browser developer Island boost its series B round to $125m while Nufarm led crop protection technology producer Enko's $70m series C.

360 Security and CATL helped Hozon Auto close a $1.5bn series D while Origin Energy and Tokyo Gas backed a $550m round for Octopus Energy.

Amid a general downturn, spinouts have been faring much better than the startup world at large.

Daisuke Otsuka, head of the firm’s business incubation office, says his unit is helping adapt to the car industry’s once-in-a-century transformation.

The dollar valuation of corporate-backed deals in the energy sector dropped sharply in Q2. Cleantech deals are the only exception.

There has never been a better time for corporates to invest in this sector, says Meghan Sharp, Global head of Decarbonization Partners.

But there are other benefits for both sides, researchers find.

With two new funds being introduced this year, Yamaha Motor Ventures is set to expand its horizons even further from its parent’s core motorcycle segment.

Google, Chevron and Sumitomo were part of fusion power system developer TAE’s $250m series G2 while GMO VenturePartners and Christie's Ventures formed new funds.

Eli Lilly and Illumina took part in liquid biopsy developer Delfi Diagnostics' $225m series B round while Sompo, Yamaha Motor and Bridgestone invested $87.8m in driverless vehicle software provider Tier IV.