The Quadrant View

U.S. business magnate Bill Gates and UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson have made it to the headlines for announcing a new partnership between the government and the Breakthrough Energy Catalyst. The deal entails a substantial amount to be invested in next-gen clean energy technologies. For the unversed, Catalyst is a vital program within the Breakthrough Energy network and brings together a variety of parties – businesspersons, philanthropists, and governments, to invest in climate technologies. Catalyst focuses on four major green technology areas including long term energy storage, direct air capture, green hydrogen, and sustainable aviation fuels. As per sources, the UK government has already pledged to commit GBP 200 million to develop UK projects in these four areas as a part of the GBP 1 billion Net Zero Innovation Portfolio. Businesses that have had tie-ups with the Breakthrough Energy Catalyst will match fund GBP 200 million of that investment to help market these technologies...

Mars, Incorporated, has declared that it has a new mission in mind. The company has strengthened its commitment to accomplish a state of net zero GHG emissions spanning its overall value chain, by the year 2050. Mars’ mission aligns with the prestigious Paris Agreement, one of the most ambitious climate change action plans, that aims to limit global temperature rises up until 1.5 °C. Grant F. Reid, Chief Executive Officer, Mars, has some real-time insights into the present climate change situation. He has been quoted to state that faster initiatives must be taken at this point of time, since climate change is already well on its way to affecting people and to eliminate this threat, net zero targets must be implemented seamlessly, across whole distribution networks and the results must be depicted soon enough, instead of having to waiting for ages. Reid acknowledges the fact that a lot of loopholes exist in some net zero commitments that reduce their credibility and at large, the cli...

Thrive Alternatives has established itself as a private funds advisory firm and has officially announced its entry in the private market sector. The company has taken root with the aim to address the vital role that Asia has, as an investment hub. Furthermore, Thrive also prides itself on its mission of bridging the market gap for intelligent technology necessary for institutional fundraising in the future as well as global capital markets. Thrive Alternatives is headquartered in Singapore. The firm has provided Limited Partners and General Partners a much better access to market information worldwide, that has been fragmented and siloed geographically. Thrive has also adopted Asense, thereby depicting its commitment to pour in capital in technologies that help address the complexity of client requirements, which is currently lacking in the industry. For the record, Thrive is presently being led by Co-Founders and CEOs, Gianluca D'Angelo and Jackson Chan. While D'Angelo was ...

Popular plant-based goods company Good Foods, LLC, has recently made it to the headlines for the launch of a brand new product. The leader of plant based dips has announced that it has added the Spicy Queso Blanco to its plant based dip product portfolio. Reportedly, this new dip is available in Sprouts and Target stores throughout the nation. As per Mandy Bottomlee, Director, Content Marketing, Good Foods, the company discovered, through extensive market research and sales reports that the addition of a Spicy Queso Blanco flavor to the plant-based dip range will fare well with Good Foods shoppers. It’s taken a year of consistent research and development for this product to hit the market and meet consumer demands, Bottomlee adds. With the latest addition, Good Foods’ plant-based dip line now boasts of six flavors – the new Spicy Queso Blanco, Avocado Pesto, Buffalo, Cilantro, Queso, and Tzatziki. As per sources, the Spicy Queso Blanco dip is made from almonds and cauliflower that h...

The entertainment industry will be in for a surprise this week. Popular cybersecurity leader IronNet, Inc., and IT procurement services provider JUMP Global Technology Advisors (GTA) have joined hands to announce an initiative aimed at defending the entertainment sector from cyberattacks. While most industries that nations depend on for economic stability, such as the financial sector, electric grid, and more, are natural beneficiaries of security against cyberattacks, the entertainment industry hasn’t exactly been on the radar of any company/establishment. To that end, JUMP GTA and IronNet have recognized that protecting this industry is as important as protecting the others, hence the initiative to deploy advanced threat detection and bring forth sharing of attack intelligence in real time to this industry. Walter Thurmond III, Managing Director, JUMP, has been quoted to state that it is of utmost importance to make sure entertainment companies work amid a secure digital environme...

Energy and climate solutions leader Munters has reportedly signed a turnkey project agreement entailing the construction of a laboratory in Scandinavia. As per sources, the company plans to design and build a lithium battery laboratory in the Scandinavian region, strengthening its position as a major supplier to lithium battery producers. Munters’ step ahead may be an action initiated in favor of climate change that is increasing the demand for lithium batteries the world over. Munters’ ability to build the unit and its competence to ensure appropriate execution of the construction was a major requirement by the client. As per terms and conditions, the company will deliver the project over the forthcoming six months. The project valuation adds up to around MSEK 83.5. Klas Forsström, President and Chief Executive Officer, Munters, has been quoted to state that with increasing focus being given on minimizing carbon emissions, there’s a strong megatrend of sustainability in the market...

France-based biotechnology company TreeFrog Therapeutics has made it to the headlines for having raised USD 75 million in a Series B funding round. With this, the firm’s total funding so far totals to USD 83 million. French venture capital fund Bpifrance Large Venture led the Series B. Other participants include pharmaceutical major Bristol Myers Squibb, US-based investment company Leonard Green & Partners L.P., and Europe-based venture capital team XAnge. Apart from the financing, the company has also made it to the front page for the appointment of Frederic Desdouits, PhD, independent board member, as chief executive officer. Kevin Alessandri, PhD, Co-founder and Executive VP, TreeFrog Therapeutics, USA, has been quoted to state that with Frederic Desdouits’s appointment and the Series B financing, the company will enter a new growth spectrum. He adds that presently, the company has the support of investors having several billion dollars, alongside a top-tier pharma major tha...