Core Points - The bilateral talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and British counterpart Keir Starmer focused on enhancing India-UK relations in trade, defence, security, and critical technology [1] - The recent free trade pact is expected to double bilateral trade by 2030, increasing market access and cutting tariffs [1] Technology and Innovation - Launch of Phase II of the UK-India Critical Minerals Supply Chain Observatory and establishment of a new satellite campus at IIT-ISM Dhanbad [2] - Establishment of the Critical Minerals Industry Guild to secure resilient supply chains and promote green technologies [3] Education - Handing over the Letter of Intent for the opening of the Campus of Lancaster University in Bengaluru [4] - In-principle approval for the opening of the Campus of the University of Surrey in GIFT City [4] Trade and Investment - Inaugural meeting of the reconstituted India-UK CEO Forum [5] - Resetting the India-UK Joint Economic Trade Committee (JETCO) to support the implementation of the CETA and drive economic growth and job creation [5] - A new joint investment in the Climate Technology Startup Fund to support innovative entrepreneurs in climate technology and AI sectors [5] Climate, Health and Research - Launch of Phase III of the Bio-Medical Research Career Program [6] - Establishment of the India-UK Connectivity and Innovation Centre [7] - Establishment of the India-UK Joint Centre for AI [7] - Establishment of the Offshore Wind Taskforce [8] - Letter of Intent (LoI) between ICMR and NIHR, United Kingdom on Health Research [8]

Core Insights - August showcased a diverse range of funding across familiar themes like AI, health, and climate technology, indicating a shift in investment patterns [1][4][15] - The UK emerged as a central hub for investment, accounting for about half of all capital raised in Europe, with significant funding rounds in biotech, deeptech, and SaaS [2][4] - The month highlighted a rebalancing of capital flows, with emerging trends in sectors such as AI-driven cybersecurity and defense technologies [3][5][6] Funding Trends - Notable funding rounds included €12.5M for EV charging from Deftpower in the Netherlands and €4.5M for Artificial Societies in London, reflecting ongoing interest in climate and AI applications [1] - Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) displayed a smaller scale of investment but offered a variety of niches, with most deals below €5M [2] - Seed funding rounds were notably inflated, with examples like Phoebe in the UK raising €15.6M, indicating increased risk for investors [7][8] Market Dynamics - The venture capital landscape is evolving, with companies like Bending Spoons opting for debt financing over equity, signaling a diversification of funding sources [9][10][11] - M&A activity in August was characterized by consolidation rather than expansion, with several mid-market startups being acquired rather than scaling independently [12][13][14] - The overall market is experiencing a transformation, with various stakeholders exploring multiple paths forward, reshaping the investment cycle [15][16]

Core Viewpoint - Focus Graphite Inc. announces the appointment of Susan Rohac to its Board of Directors, replacing Robin Dow, and highlights its participation in the Canadian Critical Minerals Investment Forum in Japan and Korea [2][4][5] Group 1: Board Changes - Susan Rohac has over 34 years of experience at the Business Development Bank of Canada, where she managed a climate tech venture capital fund with a portfolio exceeding $1 billion, including a fully deployed $600 million fund and a $500 million fund launched in 2022 [3] - Rohac's expertise includes investments in various climate technologies, particularly in advanced materials and critical minerals, and she has received recognition as a Climate Leader by Clean50 in 2024 [3][4] - The company expresses gratitude to Robin Dow for his years of service and leadership, which helped position Focus Graphite for future growth [4] Group 2: Strategic Initiatives - Focus Graphite will participate in the Canadian Critical Minerals Investment Forum in Tokyo from August 26-28, 2025, and in Korea from August 29-30, 2025, aimed at advancing partnerships in critical minerals [4][5] - The company is one of only two Canadian graphite firms attending the Forum, which will facilitate discussions with global investors and industry leaders [5] - Focus Graphite recently visited its Lac Knife project site, meeting with representatives from Korea Mine Rehabilitation and Mineral Resources Corporation and local officials to provide updates on project progress [6] Group 3: Company Overview - Focus Graphite operates two 100% owned graphite projects, with the Lac Knife project being one of the most advanced high-purity graphite deposits in North America, fully permitted for mining [10] - The company is committed to environmentally sustainable processing solutions and innovative battery technologies, including a patent-pending silicon-enhanced spheroidized graphite [11][12] - Focus Graphite aims to secure a locally sourced supply of critical minerals, reducing dependence on foreign markets and supporting the transition to a sustainable future [12]