Ben Wright, vice president at 3M Ventures, is one of the 100 leading corporate venturing professionals in our 2025 Powerlist.
Founded in 2008, 3M Ventures is the corporate venture capital arm of 3M, a US technology and manufacturing company. Ben Wright joined the unit in 2017, having previously spent more than a decade with the organisation in business development roles.
3M completed a major reorganisation, including the spin-off its healthcare business in April 2024. During the reorganisation, 3M Ventures moved from the strategy group to the corporate R&D department and merged with a sister unit to create an innovation arm.
The two-pronged department has one team focused on internal business building and innovation and another focusing on external venture. Having an immediate partner on the business side to manage the strategic collaboration makes for a “powerful combination”, says Wright. The team manages more than 20 portfolio companies and has made 10 investments in the past year.
“I try to empower my team and really focus on the end result with clear objectives – driving financial value and strategic value is our true north.”
Wright’s management style has been consistent across his time leading 3M Ventures. “I try to empower my team and really focus on the end result with clear objectives – driving financial value and strategic value is our true north.”
This strategy extends to future-proofing the portfolio for economic and political impact. “Ultimately, we try to invest in companies that are strategically aligned with 3M and where we can drive mutual value for both the portfolio company and 3M.”
There have been plenty of CVC wins during his tenure. One example Wright highlights is the partnership with Eko, a US-based developer of heart monitoring technology. 3M initially invested in 2019 and again in 2020. The startup collaborated with 3M to create a digital version of the Littmann stethoscope, which has been produced by 3M since 1967.
Now that 3M has spun out its healthcare business, Wright sees the investment focus shifting to deep tech and material science, ranging from data centre hardware to accelerate the adoption of AI, to advanced materials for the transportation and energy sectors. Semiconductor technology, industrial automation and robotics are other areas of interest.
The Global Corporate Venturing Powerlist represents the 100 individuals spearheading the future of the corporate venturing industry.
These individuals excel in terms of their venturing approach and structure, number and quality of portfolio companies and in their contributions to the corporate venturing profession.
