Brian Schettler, managing director of Boeing HorizonX Ventures (HXV), the corporate venturing arm of aerospace technology producer Boeing, was interviewed by Tom Whitehouse, contributing editor for Global Corporate Venturing.
Schettler said that in the midst of the parent company’s transitions, Boeing HXV had been learning about and implementing best practices.
The corporate venturing unit intended to be an ambassador to its portfolio companies and maintained its philosophy that led to investments as a value adding partner beyond the funding it provided.
Schettler said: “We learned very quickly in the first couple months or so, on how we needed to be inclusive in the dialogue as we made our investments.
“More importantly, do not just chuck it over the fence when the investment is done, but have that renewed commitment that, hey, we did not just do an investment and now we are moving on to the next shiny object. We are here and committed to making that company successful.”
Schettler commented that he was a firm believer in the co-investor network and finding technologies with a broader appeal than the aerospace market. Boeing HXV’s investments included startups that built propulsion system platforms, heat exchange technology and supersonic business jets.
“It is this company plus this company plus this company are really going to then bring the synergistic potential,” he concluded.