Payam Abbassian, director and head of investments at Path Ahead Ventures, is one of our top 50 Rising Stars in corporate venturing for 2025.
If you want to be successful in corporate VC, you have to develop a strong network, stay curious and embrace the wisdom of others, says Payam Abbassian, who heads up investments at Path Ahead Ventures, the CVC arm of outdoor clothes and gear company REI Co-op.
“Keep learning about market trends, emerging technologies and consumer behaviours, especially those that can shape the future of your focus areas,” he says.
“Seek guidance from more experienced investors and be open to sharing knowledge with peers. VC is a team sport in many ways.”
Looking ahead, he is excited to see the resurgence of smaller, independent brands in the space, who fill niches that the larger players tend to overlook and build deeper relationships with their communities. He is also keen to see the coming progress in sustainable materials and the convergence of the digital and physical worlds, which will allow people to blend online experiences with outdoor activities.
“I would love to see more co-investment opportunities and information-sharing within the industry to catalyse bigger, bolder investments and partnerships”
Meeting the passionate entrepreneurs who are doing something new to make these things happen, and being in the position to provide them with more than just capital, is one of Abbassian’s favourite parts of the job, as is being able to focus on the financial and strategic benefits that these investments bring.
The unit’s portfolio includes startups such as ultra-light gear brand Allmansright, women’s activewear brand Oyaand, technical running gear manufacturer Pynrs and Wheel the World, a travel marketplace for people with disabilities.
“Payam is deeply thoughtful about the needs of both our parent company and the startups in our portfolio,” says Keenan Corrigan, senior programme manager at Path Ahead Ventures.
The investment community, says Abbassian, would hugely benefit from working more closely together. “I would love to see more co-investment opportunities and information-sharing within the industry to catalyse bigger, bolder investments and partnerships.”
See the full list of Rising Stars 2025 here.
