Ulrich Quay, managing partner of BMW i Ventures, spoke to Robin Brinkworth about his investment ethos, the technologies BMW invests in, and how the fund operates
Author: Robin Brinkworth
JetBlue flies high with the help of startup insights
Raj Singh, managing director at JetBlue Technology Ventures, spoke to Robin Brinkworth about JetBlue’s strategic model, its partnerships, and how they ensure alignment with JetBlue’s business units
Interview: Arvind Purushotham of Citi Ventures
Reporter Robin Brinkworth spoke to Arvind Purushotham of Citi Ventures about fintech, Citi’s investment methodology, and its unique value-add
Emerging African opportunities struggle for funding
Innovative region: Africa
Interview: Marc Rennard, Orange Digital Ventures
Robin Brinkworth spoke with Marc Rennard, the new CEO and chairman of Orange Digital Ventures (ODV), about their commitment to innovation and coordinating ODV with other parts of the Orange Group
Where small changes can have large consequences
George Gogolev brings a wealth of venture capital experience to Severstal Ventures, having come from the ecosystem-focused Russian Venture Company (RVC), the state fund of funds that backs innovation across the country. There, he was the director of corporate innovation and technology transfer, before he joined Severstal as its head of disruptive innovation in February.… Continue reading Where small changes can have large consequences
Interview: Leo de Luna, M12
Formerly principal at Split Rock Partners before coming on board at what was then Microsoft Ventures in 2016 – now M12 – Leo de Luna has a wealth of venture capital experience. That experience serves him well at M12, which unlike many corporate venturing units, is solely financially driven. He said: “I have been in… Continue reading Interview: Leo de Luna, M12
Interview: Quinn Li, Qualcomm Ventures
Qualcomm Ventures is, compared with most corporate venture capital units, mature. Set up in 2000, the unit has successfully weathered the 2008 crash, CEO changes, and head of unit changes. How does it operate and maintain success? Li said: “We have been in business for 18 years. We have been very consistent with our strategy… Continue reading Interview: Quinn Li, Qualcomm Ventures
Interview: Roel Bulthuis, Merck
How do you feel that the venture unit has changed the parent, particularly given how long you have been at Merck? I started this venture unit as part of Merck, and as a pure-play healthcare therapeutics focused fund, investing strategically for the benefit of Merck’s pharma business. It improved the reputation of the corporate to… Continue reading Interview: Roel Bulthuis, Merck
Interview: William Taranto, Merck & Co
How has the fund changed Merck & Co, and, particularly given the length of time you have been there, what changes have you found rewarding? Not a lot has change with the fund since we started in 2010. The subtle change to the fund is around our strategy. When we first launched, the goal was… Continue reading Interview: William Taranto, Merck & Co
GCV Symposium Day One: The afternoon session
The afternoon session saw discussions on insurtech, fintech and the impact of artificial intelligence technology on the investment process.
Interview: Reese Schroeder, MD, Tyson Ventures
How have the first nine months or so been? It has been a terrific learning experience. When I came on board at Tyson Ventures I really did not know very much about the space. I have learnt a ton in the first nine months. I tell people that I know 10 times more today than… Continue reading Interview: Reese Schroeder, MD, Tyson Ventures
Interview: Saemin Ahn, MD, Rakuten Ventures
What excites you as an investor? Being more of a contrarian has made for a lot of exciting verticals to focus on. If many investors head in one direction, I automatically look at what they have left behind. If you look at artificial intelligence (AI), right now a lot of the effort and energy is… Continue reading Interview: Saemin Ahn, MD, Rakuten Ventures
Interview: Grant Allen, head of ABB Technology Ventures
What is ATV’s primary value to ABB, financial or strategic? We are valued very much as a technology scout and an R&D accelerant and catalyst. We report to the chief technology officer, Bazmi Husain. Our investment committee consists of him, the head of operations for R&D, and then a floating member, who comes out of… Continue reading Interview: Grant Allen, head of ABB Technology Ventures