Touchdown Ventures, a US-based venture capital firm which manages multiple investment vehicles on behalf of corporate partners, has promoted four team members.
Founded in 2014, Touchdown Ventures operates VC programmes for corporates including security equipment producer Allegion, infrastructure engineering software provider Bentley Systems and Masco, which manufactures home improvement tools.
The firm most recently announced the launch of AB Health Ventures, a vehicle it formed in partnership with pharmaceutical wholesaler AmerisourceBergen, earlier this month.
Will Geiger and Brett Kadesh, previously principals at the firm, have been named directors. Geiger helps lead adhesive materials producer Avery Dennison’s corporate venturing activities and Kadesh does the same for food manufacturer Kellogg’s Eighteen94 Capital unit. Global Corporate Venturing included both in their 2021 Rising Stars roster.
Former analysts Maddi Holman and Kathy Quigley have meanwhile ascended to associate positions having both joined the firm in late 2020. Holman focuses on 5G, edge computing, security and the future of work while Quigley targets pharmaceutical technology developers.
The move comes two weeks after Touchdown Ventures revealed it had hired Eric Steager as venture partner. He comes from health insurance provider Anthem, where he helped establish the firm’s corporate venturing practice having joined in 2019.
Jane Simons, head of operations at Touchdown Ventures, said in a blog post: “We truly believe our most important measurement of success, is the trajectory and growth of our people. We dedicate time and resources to training the next generation of venture capitalists by taking a hands-on approach to teaching the craft of CVC.”
