5 clips
RRiding Unicorns
Mike Smeed explains how corporate venture capital arms provide unique value beyond just funding - they offer regulatory expertise and industry networks that are critical for startups entering highly regulated industries like automotive. He highlights how CVCs can help navigate the complex homologation and authorization processes required to get products approved for vehicle use.
Mike Smeed explains why corporate venture capital leaders have such short tenures - averaging just 3.5 years. He reveals that relying on a single sponsor within the parent company creates vulnerability when leadership changes, and shares how he's survived by navigating multiple regime changes.
Mike Smeed argues that the common way of categorizing corporate venture capital units on a spectrum from strategic to financial is no longer useful. He suggests this framework has become so generic that most CVCs end up clustered in the middle, making it essentially meaningless for differentiation.
Mark Beeston details his hands-on experience building ICAP's corporate venture capital arm, including successful investments like Acagersoft (acquired by London Stock Exchange) and TriOptima. He shares the tactical work of setting up a CVC fund and executing both investments and acquisitions in the fintech infrastructure space.
EEUVC
A CVC expert breaks down the two critical elements that corporate venture capital arms must get right from day one. He explains why having a clear corporate purpose is essential for VC support, and why governance structure - particularly investment committee processes - is where most CVCs fail and frustrate traditional VCs.