Greentech Capital Advisors  served as financial advisor on the largest investment by a Chinese corporation into a venture-capital funded, US-based company. It advised GreatPoint Energy, Inc., a US developer of coal gasification projects, on its $1.25 billion investment from China Wanxiang Holding Co., Ltd., a major China-based industrial conglomerate. The partnership included an investment commitment of over $420 million and a project equity and credit support partnership commitment of $830 million from Wanxiang Holding to GreatPoint Energy.

A report released today by the London Environmental Investment Forum reveals increasing venture capital investment activity in companies that are providing innovative water solutions to the oil and gas and mining industries.

Drilling Info said March 5 that Insight Venture Partners is leading a $165 million equity investment in Drilling Info, the Austin-based data intelligence provider to the oil and gas industries.

GlassPoint Solar, a provider of solar steam generators for enhanced oil recovery, has received $3.5 million in a financing round led by Chrysalix Energy Venture Capital. The funding will accelerate the commercialization of GlassPoint’s solar steam technology and will finance the deployment of a solar EOR demonstration plant in Bakersfield, Calif.

Matt R. Simmons, founder and former head of Simmons & Co. International, passed away from an apparent heart attack on Aug. 8 at his home in Maine.