Every day, Global University Venturing rounds up the smaller investments from across the university innovation ecosystem in its deal net.
Molcure, a Japan-based AI-driven drug discovery and developing company backed by University of Tokyo affiliate University of Tokyo Edge Capital (UTEC), has raised $7.2m in series C funding from GMO Venture Partners, Japan Post Capital, Strive and SBI Investment, respective vehicles for internet company GMO, postal service Japan Post, digital media group Gree and financial services firm SBI, in addition to pharmaceutical firm Nippon Chemiphar and VC firm Jafco. Molcure raised $2.5m from GMO VenturePartners, Nippon Chemiphar and insurer Dai-ichi Life Insurance in December 2018. UTEC supplied $1.8m in funding in September 2014.
Gross-Wen Technologies, a US-based wastewater treatment company spun out of Iowa State University, has closed a $6.5m series A round co-led by ISA Ventures and Iowa Farm Bureau’s Rural Vitality Fund. Next Level Ventures, Mid-American Angels, Ankeny Angels, Ag Startup Engine, Oman Ventures and 1330 Investments also took part. Gross-Wen secured $2m from engineering services provider Doerfer…
Thierry Heles
Thierry Heles is the editor of Global University Venturing, host of the Beyond the Breakthrough interview podcast and responsible for the monthly GUV Gazette (sign up here for free).
