Marcus Behrendt has been managing director of BMW i Ventures, the US-based venture capital firm formed by Germany-headquartered automotive manufacturer BMW, since August 2022, having previously served as the unit’s CEO.
Launched by its parent in 2016, BMW i Ventures has accumulated a portfolio of more than 50 companies. Among its most notable exits are Chargepoint, the vehicle charging network, and manufacturing services marketplace Xometry, which floated in a $302m IPO in 2021.
In 2021, the unit launched a $300m fund focusing on sustainability and operating alongside BMW i Ventures’ unit’s $500m first fund. The sustainability fund targets early and mid-stage companies concentrating on sustainability, transportation, manufacturing and supply chain technologies. Behrendt and his colleague Kasper Sage were named managing partners.
We will refocus our investment thesis to even better serve the needs of the ecosystem and the BMW Group as a whole
At the time, Behrendt said: “With Fund II we will refocus our investment thesis to even better serve the needs of the ecosystem and the BMW Group as a whole. Even more than before, circularity and sustainability will play a key role in our investment activities.”
Among the unit’s recent investments are a lead role on the €15m series A round for drive unit developer Deep Drive, as well as involvement in the €50m series C raise for Plus One Robotics, a logistics automation business.
Behrendt joined BMW i Ventures in 2018 having worked for the parent company in its user experience and concept quality divisions. Previous roles include CEO of automotive industry consultant JD Power Europe and a stint at motor manufacturer Mercedes-Benz.