Managers

Pearson launches venture fund to invest in education startups

Educational company Pearson has raised $50 million for its newly launched venture fund, according to a post by Jonathan Chocqueel-Morgan, the firm's chief strategy officer. Pearson Ventures will invest in early-stage education startups.

CDPQ teams up with CREO to invest in sustainable economy

Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec (CDPQ) has agreed to partner with the CREO Family Office Syndicate in a new initiative aimed at providing more capital to climate-related investments. No financial terms were disclosed. The partnership will focus on creating new deal opportunities, sharing expertise and exercising stronger climate leadership within the industry, CDPQ and CREO said. CDPQ said it reduced the carbon intensity of its global portfolio by 10 percent in the past year, while increasing investing in low-carbon assets by $10 billion. CREO is a New York City-based network of family offices.

Diameter Health picks up $9.6 mln in Optum Ventures-led round

Farmington, Connecticut-based Diameter Health, a provider of clinical data integration solutions, has raised $9.6 million in Series A-1 funding. Optum Ventures led the round with participation from Activate Venture Partners, Connecticut Innovations, Excelerate Health Ventures and LRV Health.

EdiGene snags $15 mln Series B

EdiGene, an emerging biotechnology company focused on treating genetic disorders, has raised $15 million in Series B funding. The investors included UTokyo Innovation Platform, SBI Investment, Fast Track Initiative, SMBC Venture Capital, Mizuho Capital and CareNet Group.

Biotech firm Cullgen lands $16 mln Series A

San Diego-based Cullgen Inc, a biotechnology company, has secured $16 million in Series A financing. The investors were Sequoia Capital China and Highlight Capital.

Shasta Ventures targets $325 mln for sixth fund: Updated

Shasta Ventures is seeking to raise $325 million for its sixth fund, according to an SEC filing. Based in Menlo Park, California, Shasta invests in enterprise and technology consumer startups.

AfricInvest and Cathay Capital launch Pan-African venture fund

AfricInvest and Cathay Capital have teamed up to form Cathay Africinvest Innovation Fund, a Pan-African venture fund. The fund's target is 150 million euros (about $168 million).

Defy Partners wraps up sophomore fund at $262 mln

Defy Partners has closed its oversubscribed second fund at $262 million. Headquartered in Woodside, California, Defy makes early Series A investments.

Core Innovation Capital seeks $100 mln to back fintech startups

Fintech-focused Core Innovation Capital is seeking to raise $100 million for its third fund, according to a regulatory filing. The fund is one-third larger than Fund II, which closed at about $72 million. Core Innovation was founded in 2010 to invest in financial services and technology. It has offices in the South Park area of San Francisco and in Los Angeles. Leading the firm as GPs are Founder and Managing Partner Arjan Schutte and Managing Partner Kathleen Utecht.

Data Collective to raise $575 million fifth venture-capital fund

Data Collective has set out to raise a $575 million fifth venture-capital fund, according to a filing with the SEC.