The top 50: Kamel Ramdani, CEO, GC Ventures America
Kamel Ramdani is chief executive of GC Ventures America, the corporate venture capital (CVC) arm of GC International Group in North America – itself a subsidiary of Thailand-listed petrochemical producer PTT Global Chemical (GC). He also serves as senior vice-president (VP) of group science and innovation at GC, heading up near-term R&D and long-term innovation efforts.
Headquartered in Houston, Texas, GC International focuses on cross-border expansion for its parent firm. It has invested heavily in global assets including green, speciality chemicals and early-stage technology companies. The unit continues to identify new growth opportunities, through tools such as new acquisitions, joint ventures, greenfield developments and venture investments.
Among GC Ventures America’s current portfolio companies are long-duration battery developer ESS, nanocoating developer Actnano, sustainable functional material Phase Change Energy Solutions, 3D printing specialist Inkbit and Arevo, a developer of additive manufacturing technology.
Based in Bangkok, Thailand, Ramdani joined GC Group in December 2021 as SVP of Group Science and Innovation (CTO) before taking up an additional position as SVP of long-term innovation and CVC the month after, after spending more than two decades in the specialty chemical and energy industry space with diverse experience in technology and innovation, including multiple roles at Solvay and Elkem Silicones.
Kamel holds a PhD in chemical engineering from IFPEN and CPE Lyon, with specialisation in strategy and innovation as well as strategy and business from INSEAD. He also has an executive MBA with a focus on development programme from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.
