Robert Günther heads Henkel Ventures activities from the finance side for the Germany-based industrial group. The corporate venturing unit has a commitment to invest up to €150m ($170m) in startup companies, usually initial A and B rounds, across 3D printing, printed electronics, batteries, thermal management, smart building materials, functional coatings, smart packaging and sustainable solutions, direct-to-consumer platforms, internet of things, smart packaging, influencer brands, new materials and ingredients, and personalised offers.
Günther said: “In that role since 2015, I have been responsible for executing all 15 investments across our business units – advanced materials and fast-moving consumer goods – globally, including due diligence, contract negotiations, portfolio management and investment tracking.
He described his objective as “creating a win-win situation for the start-ups and the corporate in strategic partnerships”, and added: “CVC activities are not aiming at the fastest financial returns but at providing value beyond money through partnerships and collaborations which then help the start-up to flourish financially.”
However, his challenges remained a corporate not-invented-here syndrome and convincing internal colleagues of new ideas.
To overcome this he said he wanted to bring the “corporate venture capital activities to the next level through adding true measurable value to startups and being recognised as one of the partners of choice in the VC ecosystem, pairing with the most promising startups in the material sciences and fast-moving consumer goods space worldwide and together reaching the next level”.
After gaining a PhD and MBA, Günther worked for a Swiss family office.
