It is an old joke that nuclear fusion power is 30 years away, and always will be. The joke is now looking outdated as the technology finally reaches a stage where investors feel comfortable writing cheques for hundreds of millions of dollars towards its development.
Author: Kim Moore
Kim Moore is the editor of Global University Venturing and deputy editor of Global Corporate Venturing and produces video for the website.
VIDEO: ‘Behave like an asset manager’
Meghan Sharp, formerly BP Ventures head, tells corporate venturers to engage and behave like asset managers.
Semiconductors: “Tectonic shifts” are reviving investor interest
Corporate investors are looking at silicon photonics, AI chips and semiconductor packaging as the hot new areas for investment. Dede Goldschmidt has worked in venture capital for decades but does not remember seeing so many potential investment opportunities. “We have a significant pipeline of potential semiconductor-related investments. It is quite amazing. I don’t recall… Continue reading Semiconductors: “Tectonic shifts” are reviving investor interest
Singapore provides $14m corporate venturing boost
EDB has added about $14m for the second Corporate Venture Launchpad to help corporations launch innovative spinoffs.
VIDEO: ‘I have had 5 bosses in 5 years’
How to navigate the economic downturn is top of mind for executives of corporate venturing units. Ben Wright, vice president of 3M Ventures, the corporate venturing arm of multinational conglomerate 3M Company, says having a charter outlining the organisation’s guiding principles helped it to steer through management changes.
Renewable hydrogen takes centre stage in clean energy shift
In May this year, the European Union (EU) set out its plan to eliminate its dependence on Russian fossil fuels by 2030. Its REPowerEU directive put hydrogen at the forefront of its clean energy transition. The €300bn ($310bn) strategy drastically scales up the use of renewable hydrogen, calling for the import of 10 million… Continue reading Renewable hydrogen takes centre stage in clean energy shift
Boeing latest to boost investment in aerospace and defence
Boeing’s latest $50m investment in a fund that will support aerospace and defence startups is part of a series of similar corporate-backed deals that come against a backdrop of growing geopolitical tensions.
How to get ready for the down rounds
An economic downturn is a great time to back startups on better terms. But investors should be careful of the tricky politics of down rounds.
SoftBank’s Misra to launch $6bn fund
Rajeev Misra will step back from his role at the Japanese investment company, following a spate of recent departures.
Mitsui Chemicals explores new products with CVC launch
Mitsui Chemicals’ newly formed $36.8m 321Force unit will focus on healthcare, mobility, ICT and sustainable materials.
How to hire (and keep) a great CVC team
Corporate venturing units see the looming recession as an opportunity to hire experienced VC professionals who soon may be out of work. As the economy contracts, some venture capital firms and CVCs are expected to close or pare back operations and corporate venturing firms will be waiting to scoop up the staff. “We see it… Continue reading How to hire (and keep) a great CVC team