As an academic and chemist, Arianna Savini, investment analyst at Henkel Tech Ventures, began her career at Henkel as a laboratory manager in Henkel’s research and development unit in 2018.
Her knowledge and technical background were essential to understanding the technologies developed by startups when she joined the company’s CVC in 2020, she says. “I was motivated by my passion for innovation and my curiosity to learn more about things which can go beyond chemistry.”
“I was motivated by my passion for innovation and my curiosity to learn more about things which can go beyond chemistry”
Exposure to innovation and supporting creative ideas drive Savini to work in corporate venturing. “I enjoy that I need to think in a creative way to help Henkel expand its business with the help of startup collaborations. I find it inspiring working with the entire adhesive technologies business of Henkel.”
Getting the parent company on board with high-risk investments is a challenging part of the job. “My role requires me to mediate between the position of fast-moving startups and the pace of large corporations, which can slow down the process. Also dealing with projects with many stakeholders and different departments can cause setbacks in pushing a startup’s success.”
Established in 2016, Henkel Tech Ventures is a $150m fund that invests in series A to startups in scalable technology platforms and new digital business models. It invests from its parent’s balance sheet with a typical investment size range of $1m-$5m. It has 11 active companies in its portfolio.
Savini says the key to success in this industry is objectivity, communication and patience. “It is easy to get excited about a certain startup but you should always try and evaluate all the different aspects of the technology, the competition and the market before jumping to conclusions. Remember to be patient because there are a lot of valuation approvals and bureaucracy to go through when it comes to finalising agreements with startups.”
See the full list of GCV Rising Stars for 2024 here.