Corporate Venturing #31: Claudia Zeisberger @ INSEAD, interview by Nicolas Sauvage

TL;DR

Corporate venturing has seen rapid growth in recent years, with more traditional companies realizing the need to observe and engage with the startup ecosystem. It is crucial for corporates to understand the why behind their involvement and to balance external engagement with internal communication.

Transcript

good morning good afternoon or good evening everyone depending on where you're joining us today thank you so much for joining on this 31st edition of the cbc insider series today we have a very special ahead together with claudia seisberger professor of entrepreneurship and family enterprise at insead and best-selling author and advisor to the vent... Read More

Key Insights

• 💨 Corporates have increasingly recognized the need to engage with the startup ecosystem and are exploring different ways to participate, such as corporate venture capital and incubators.
• 🖐️ Execution is a critical factor in the success of corporate venturing, with internal communication and collaboration playing a significant role in creating a supportive environment for startups.
• 🍉 Measuring the impact of corporate venturing initiatives and ensuring alignment with strategic goals is essential for long-term success.
• 👥 Diversity, equity, and inclusion are becoming important considerations in the corporate venturing landscape, with efforts being made to increase representation of underrepresented groups in the startup ecosystem.
• 🎁 The current focus on impact investing presents an opportunity for both financial returns and positive social and environmental impact, but clear definitions and measures are needed for effective implementation.

Questions & Answers

Q: Why do corporates need to engage in corporate venturing?

Corporates need to engage in corporate venturing to stay aware of external developments, learn from the startup ecosystem, and potentially disrupt their own industries. It also provides an opportunity for corporates to experiment and find new ways to innovate and grow.

Q: What are some challenges faced by new corporate venture capital units?

New corporate venture capital units often face challenges in defining their goals and strategies, gaining internal buy-in and support, and building credibility and relationships with startups. They must strike a balance between integrating within the corporate structure and being agile and entrepreneurial.

Q: What role does internal communication play in corporate venturing?

Internal communication is crucial in corporate venturing as it ensures that all business units are aware of the activities and value of the corporate venture capital unit. This fosters collaboration, enables business units to leverage the expertise and resources of the unit, and facilitates the execution of corporate innovation strategies.

Q: How can corporates measure the success of their corporate venturing initiatives?

Success in corporate venturing can be measured through various metrics, including the financial performance of invested startups, the strategic value and impact on the core business, the ability to attract and retain top talent, and the level of engagement and collaboration between the corporate and startups.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The demand for corporate venturing has grown significantly, with traditional corporates seeking ways to engage with the startup ecosystem and experiment with different strategies such as corporate venture capital, incubators, accelerators, and mergers and acquisitions.

• Corporates have no choice but to observe and learn from developments outside their own ecosystem to stay ahead and stay competitive in today's fast-changing world.

• Execution is the key to success in corporate venturing, with internal communication and collaboration being crucial for creating a supportive environment for startups and ensuring the delivery of value to both the corporation and the startup.