Girish Nadkarni, head of corporate venturing unit TotalEnergies Ventures (TEV), has moved back to the US from France in preparation for leaving the oil major TotalEnergies in March.
Nadkarni, a GCV Powerlist award winner (Q&A and testimonials here), said he had “handed over charge for TEV to Francois Badoual who, incidentally, was also my predecessor”.
TEV saw at least five of its portfolio companies acquired by special purpose acquisition companies (Spacs) last year, and another six were under negotiation for SPAC acquisitions or flotations, Nadkarni said. He added: “We could potentially be the best performing Climatetech fund.”
Nadkarni by email said: “I have moved back to Connecticut in the US, although I will be back to Paris in March to hand over the apartment and close down my affairs.
“I will still be employed by TotalEnergies until March after which time I may go on a 30% consulting contract.
“I am currently in conversations with a number of PE and VC [private equity and venture capital] firms to join them as an adviser. I am both surprised and gratified at the number of people who have reached out to me.”
Badoual has been running TEV’s US office since Nadkarni joined in 2017 from leading ABB’s CVC unit. Badoual had set up Total’s CVC unit in mid-2012 and has moved back to Paris, France, as part of the handover.
