Corporate Venturing Insider #20: Lisa Lambert @ National Grid Partners with Nicolas Sauvage

TL;DR

Lisa Lambert, Chief Technology and Innovation Officer at National Grid, shares her journey in corporate venturing and the importance of team, execution, and judgment in successful investments.

Transcript

good morning good afternoon and good evening everybody thank you so much for joining us today in the 20th edition of the cvc insider brought to you by 500 startups today we have a three link session ahead featuring lisa lambert who's the chief technology and innovation officer at national grid and lisa comes from the world of software engineer then... Read More

Key Insights

• 😤 Team dynamics and execution capabilities are crucial factors in the success of a company.
• 🔠 Pattern recognition and judgment, gained through evaluating numerous investments, are vital for effective venture capital decision-making.
• 👨‍💼 Having an understanding of both the technical and business aspects of a venture can provide a competitive advantage.
• ❓ Maintaining objectivity in investment decisions requires evaluating multiple companies and considering a broad landscape.
• 😤 Utilizing the expertise of the business development team can enhance the strategic value of investments.
• 💪 The importance of maintaining strong relationships with portfolio companies and providing value beyond just financial investment.
• 🤩 Investing in first-time founders can be successful if they have a strong network and prioritize filling key team gaps.

Questions & Answers

Q: How important is it for venture capitalists to have a technical background?

While it is not essential, having a technical background is valuable as it helps in understanding the product, market opportunities, and building credibility with technical founders.

Q: What was Lisa Lambert's biggest learning in the last five years of her career at Intel Capital?

The biggest takeaway was the value of pattern recognition and judgment, gained through evaluating numerous investment opportunities. This experience helped in identifying the traits of successful companies and teams.

Q: How does Lisa Lambert ensure objectivity in investment decisions?

She recommends looking at a wide range of companies and conducting thorough due diligence. By evaluating a broad landscape and comparing companies, a more objective assessment can be made.

Q: What is the role of the business development team in corporate venturing?

The business development team is responsible for bridging the gap between the portfolio companies and the corporate entity, ensuring that strategic value is realized and that collaborations and partnerships are successful.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Lisa Lambert began her career as a software developer and later transitioned to venture capital, spending over 19 years at Intel Capital before joining National Grid.

• She emphasizes the importance of having a strong team and execution abilities, stating that team dynamics and capability are key factors in a company's success.

• Lisa highlights the significance of pattern recognition and judgment in venture capital, gained through experience and exposure to various investment opportunities.