The micro venture capital (VC) funding space in India is witnessing a robust activity. A rising new breed of venture capital investors is keen on early-stage investment in startups. About 12 micro venture capital funds are operational in India.

Japan's exports were badly hit by the steep drop in steel prices and other commodities. The world's third largest economy's exports fell 12.9 percent on the year in January to Yen 5.35 trillion ($47.12 billion), while the imports also fell 18 percent.

A startup is getting ready to launch a ride-sharing app that could compete against Uber. The startup claimed that they would aim to form a better relationship with drivers and pay the drivers better with lower commission. As for now, the company is still gathering data, with the help of Uber drivers paid $25 per week to carry Juno devices while doing their job.

NYSE-listed Broadridge Financial Solutions has invested in AMA Partners, BV (AMA). By taking minority stake in AMA Partners, Broadridge will expand its corporate governance solution in Europe.

BDC Capital, a subsidiary of Business Development Bank of Canada, has launched IT Venture Fund II with corpus of C$150 million. With an objective of bridging gap in the mid-stage funding, the new fund will support new generation of IT entrepreneurs in Canada.

Apple found support from Facebook and Twitter that it should not be forced to help FBI in unlocking the smartphone of one of the San Bernardino mass shooting assailants, Farook. Even if Apple unlocked phones in the past for solving criminal investigations, it is still the company' best interest to protect their privacy of their customers.

University of Chicago scholarship programs get $50 million donation from Sequoia Capital chairman Michael Moritz and his wife Harriet Heyman. The said huge donation will fund the Odyssey Scholarship Program and the Collegiate Scholars Program.

MindMaze has secured a total of $100 million funds from an early round led by India’s Hinduja Group. MindMaze, which until now is focusing on developing virtual reality interfaces in the healthcare sector aims to form future contracts and service centers, as well as expanding the technology for other uses in the form of gaming, educational and fitness applications.

Glencore signed new loan commitments of $8.45 billion revolving credit facility. The company took on the new liabilities when it was already struggling to pay off its existing debt of $30 billion. Despite being pulled to the lowest rank in the investment grade, the Swiss commodities trader received support from its loyal lenders, which came as a surprise for some.

Stratasys, the leading player in the 3-D printing and additive manufacturing industry, has extended its investment arm towards the promising start-up, Massivit. The start-up is just the kind of venture Stratasys likes to support, with disruptive technologies like their proprietary Gel Dispensing Printing and the 1800 3D printer which produces 3D printed sculptures.