MORNING NEWS: Climate X gains Google funding boost

Good morning. Here’s your daily round-up of the latest news and views from EG and a collection of real estate-relevant headlines from the national papers. Climate risk intelligence company Climate X has raised $18m (£14.2m) in a series A investment round led by Google Ventures, turbocharging its plans for global expansion. The round was also supported by Pale Blue Dot, CommerzVentures, A/O, Blue Wire Capital, PT1, Unconventional Ventures and Western Technology Investment. Climate X will use the funding to grow its presence in the Europe, North America and Asia Pacific markets. It will initially build out the commercial team in its recently-opened New York office. Aviva Investors has offloaded a trio of grade-A office freeholds in Hoxton Square to an occupier at one of the properties. The owner put the portfolio up for sale for £27.5m earlier this year. The UK arm of Canva, a graphic design platform that leased space in 33-35 Hoxton Square, has now bought the portfolio for roughly £23m. Compton acted for Aviva. A listed investor has blamed its weak financial performance on the “burdensome regulatory environment” caused by the drive to net zero, among other factors. Fund manager and investor First Property Group said it was among the main drivers behind shrinking occupier demand, higher capital investment requirements, falling values and an “exodus” of institutional investors. And, home technology company SharkNinja has signed the first lease at Battersea Power Station’s offices at 50 Electric Boulevard, SW11, for its EMEA HQ. SharkNinja has leased 32,000 sq ft at the building. The deal marks an expansion for the company, which already has a 25,000 sq ft office inside the power station, as well as a brand and demonstration testing facility on Arches Lane next to the power station. The company said it required more space as it has grown since agreeing the lease in 2022. All of the news from EG, plus a selection of headlines from the nationals:Google backs Climate X in $18m funding roundInvestor blames ‘burdensome’ net zero for poor resultsMeadow raises $530m for sixth fundTritax partners with Prince’s Trust to back education for young peopleHoxton office occupier snaps up Aviva portfolioSharkNinja signs for Battersea HQ expansionRidge & Partners expands at Bristol’s Tower WharfPartner sought for Duxford cluster take-offIntegritas hires commercial lead to drive growth ambitionsFiera and Cubex secure tiling retailer prelet at Swindon Trade ParkDuo of builders’ merchant stores among top lots in Acuitus July saleBarings and LBS ink first prelet at South Bank office schemeArchbishop Tenison’s school next to the Oval up for grabsHeaton secures £45m loan for Salford luxury resi blockBritain held back by its ‘Banana economy’, claims top investor (£)Britons to spend £178 billion on memorable experiences this summer – studyCOMMENT China’s big housing correction is not over (£)Vauxhall owner threatens to close UK car factories (£)UK’s Housing Crisis Needs a London-Sized City to Fix It (£)Signa Founder Benko’s Home Raided by Police in Fraud Probe