After two years heading up HSBC’s early-stage investments, Catherine Zhou is moving to a CIO position focusing on wealth and private banking.
Month: November 2022
Japan is taking a lead role in corporate investing 3.0
Ten years ago Japanese corporate venturing was little more than sporadic trips to Silicon Valley. Now Japan is taking a lead role.
Daily Deal Round Up: November 24, 2022
G42 helped process automation technology provider The Applied AI Company raise $42m while Fox Cold Chain received $27.9m from investors including Mitsubishi.
Shiseido’s new China fund has $140m to spend
Shiseido China launched a new fund in August that will help it expand into areas like men’s skincare and medical cosmetology.
Toyota’s Jim Adler: The three signs of a bad corporate investor
Corporate investors must not lose sight of who they are serving, ie the startup, Jim Adler, head of Toyota Ventures told the GCV audience in Tokyo.
Hydrogen and biomethane will have a big part in the energy transition, says Engie
The energy sector hasn’t had a technology breakthrough for a decade. But Engie New Ventures’ Johann Boukhors is excited about the potential for green hydrogen and methane.
Daily Deal Round Up: November 23, 2022
SoftBank Vision Fund 2 led virtual power plant developer Swell Energy’s $120m series B round while Kirin led a $70m round for craft beer brand Bira91.
The 9 worst corporate-backed investments
Failure rates are high for VC-backed companies, and corporate-backed startups are not exempt. But which have been the biggest recent flops that left corporate investors licking their wounds?
Daily Deal Round Up: November 22, 2022
ABB’s electric vehicle charging offshoot raised over $200m while GV helped pecision therapeutics developer FogPharma pull in $178m.
Jalan makes the jump from SoftBank
SoftBank Group International partner Saurabh Jalan has become the latest high-profile name to leave as the company looks to restructure its CVC activities.
9 startups that aim to make us live longer
Corporate investors are backing a host of elder-care startups, from those seeking Parkinson’s cures to apps aiding mental wellbeing.
Pixie Dust Technologies explores “magic touch” dementia treatment
A Japan-based university spinout is exploring a sound and touch treatment for dementia.
Daily Deal Round Up: November 21, 2022
Great Wall Motors spinoff SVolt has filed for a $2.1bn initial public offering while several corporates are set to exit online publisher Note in its own IPO.
Two-thirds of corporate investors take LP positions in VC funds
A majority of the corporate investors we polled take LP positions in VC funds, in parallel with direct investing. It is a way to widen their scope.