BHP Billiton's US$40 million venture capital fund has made its first investment with US$500,000 first round funding provided to the Canadian intelligence software company, Coemergence Inc.

Coemergence has developed a new intelligence methodology and associated software for improving the effectiveness of mergers and acquisitions efforts in various industries, commencing with oil and gas.

The BBIG venture capital fund is managed by the BHP Billiton Investment Group and was launched on 14 July. The fund is dedicated to post-prototype investments in knowledge management, new materials technology and alternative energy.

For more information, please contact the fund. Coemergence can be contacted at www.coemergence.com.