There was a return to robust corporate venturing deal-making in October, with pronounced signs that risk appetite is increasing. In an eventful month, many across the US suffered signifcant diffculties caused by hurricane Sandy, as the US presidential election entered the fnal straight. During the month both investments and exits were up against September and… Continue reading Deal analysis: October 2012
Month: November 2012
Innovative region: Scotland
A region of surplus creativity but a dearth of funding.
Why isn’t there a Zuckerberg in China?
More specifically, why are there hardly any twenty-year-old wunderkind entrepreneurs in China?
Venturing delivers multiple benefits
In periods of low growth and high strategic uncertainty, CVC can serve four distinct and valuable business objectives.
Making partnerships work (Part I)
The logic behind collaboration between corporations and start-up companies (together with their venture backers) is clear and compelling. Start-ups have a reputation for efficient innovation and market disintermediation while corporations have established paths to global markets and mass. As markets grow increasing competitive, both groups need to re-imagine how they pursue their future ambitions. The… Continue reading Making partnerships work (Part I)
Gaule’s Question Time: Robert Bosch
Gaule: Give a brief description of the purpose of your fund. Schmidt: We are a strategic investor and our purpose is to provide Robert Bosch access to innovative start-ups. The technologies we are looking for should be in the vicinity or at the forefront of Robert Bosch’s product roadmaps or open new business areas. Although… Continue reading Gaule’s Question Time: Robert Bosch
‘Battle Royale’ in the world of finance
A little more than a decade ago management consultancy Booz & Co explained in a report “why banks and telecoms must merge to surge”. Booz said correctly: “The epicentre for a transformation of consumer banking will be the convergence of banking and telecommunications players, as well as internet service providers and web portals.” The report… Continue reading ‘Battle Royale’ in the world of finance
Let’s celebrate the people
This month marks the transfer of power in China’s political leadership and another term in office for Potus – President of the United States. Or, with some hyperbole, what US media groups such as Time magazine call leaders of the Free and Unfree. Corporate venturing exists in no bubble secluded from politicians. The political leaders… Continue reading Let’s celebrate the people
Finding a suitable provider
Please let us know your questions and thoughts about which service providers we should be reviewing and what you consider to be best practice.
The Big Deal: Causing a public Ruckus
Ruckus claims that nearly 60% of its revenues comes from telecommunications carriers such as Deutsche Telekom, demonstrating the strong business model of turning your financial backers into paying customers.
SVB toasts Punchbowl
Silicon Valley Bank has invested $1.5m in online party planning start-up Punchbowl.com.
Comcast stars in Nebula’s $25m round
Comcast Ventures leads the September B round alongside venture firms Highland Capital, Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers and Innovation Endeavors.
HistoIndex, Quintessence win SmartCamp Beijing
Singapore-based medical research and diagnostics company HistoIndex and Australia-based cyber security company QuintessenceLabs won IBM’s SmartCamp Beijing prize in October.
Nanostring makes James Johnson CFO
Johnson joins NanoString from Relypsa, a biopharmaceutical company, where he was CFO.