Quentin Demarly, investment director at Air Liquide Venture Capital, is one of our top Rising Stars in corporate venturing for 2025.

Quentin Demarly’s journey at French industrial gases producer Air Liquide began in innovation and business development roles at the parent company, where he honed his technical and commercial skills.  

His initial interaction with the venturing team occurred during his time in the electronics business line. This led him to join Air Liquide’s CVC team in 2022, where he sources, evaluates and executes equity investments in startups. 

Demarly has worked in China and the US for Air Liquide, giving him a global perspective and understanding of diverse markets. He serves on the board of several portfolio companies in four countries. 

Most of the CVC team members are based in Paris, with a team member also in Silicon Valley. While the team invests globally, they are actively seeking to expand their presence in Asia, particularly in China, Korea, Japan, India and Singapore. This expansion aims to capitalise on the region’s burgeoning innovation ecosystem. 

“Demarly has worked in China and the US for Air Liquide, giving him a global perspective and understanding of diverse markets.” 

Air Liquide’s CVC invests in sustainable technologies that support the company’s decarbonisation efforts and those of its customers. Demarly is particularly interested in technologies that promote energy efficiency or carbon capture and utilisation of the captured carbon for the production of valuable products such as e-fuels and polymers.  

Demarly also recognises the potential of AI to revolutionise the chemical industry. He envisions AI playing a role in discovering new compounds and chemicals, optimising gas separation and adsorption processes and enhancing the overall efficiency of Air Liquide’s assets.  

By leveraging AI’s data processing and analytical capabilities, he says Air Liquide can optimise its operations, improve customer relationships and find opportunities for growth and innovation.  

See the full list of Rising Stars 2025 here.