Top 50 Rising Stars 2021 continued (in alphabetical order by CVC unit): Veronica Gabriele, associate, Munich Re Ventures
Veronica Gabriele is an associate at Munich Re Ventures (MRV), the US-based corporate venture capital (CVC) unit of Germany-listed reinsurance firm Munich Re, its Hartford Steam Boiler (HSB) Inspection and Insurance arm and its ERGO primary insurance subsidiary.
Gabriele focuses on areas such as cybersecurity, life and health insurtech, digital health and mobility technologies for the unit, serving as a board observer at digital auto insurance startup Inshur.
MRV managing director Jacqueline LeSage Krause said: “Veronica Gabriele joined Munich Re Ventures in 2019 out of undergrad, yet already having venture capital experience with a number of firms.
“With her enthusiasm, passion and confidence, she jumps right in with both entrepreneurs and our businesses. She is fiercely persistent in due diligence and tracking down whatever is needed internal or external for a deal. She became a critical part of our team in a short time and we are excited to see her contribution grow as she further hones her investment skills.”
On her career path to corporate venturing, Gabriele said: “CVC provides insight into what is going on behind the scenes. What are corporations actually thinking, what is their acquisition strategy, and what do they build in-house versus elect to partner on? Primarily, it lends insight into the initiatives they think will move the industry to its next generation.
“All of these questions pulled me towards CVC. I have come to learn how to think as a potential acquirer and corporate partner through the multitude of conversations and workshops we have with our business units which allowed me to imagine and understand a company’s journey from inception to exit in more detail.
“I have also learned that strategy is not a one-sided mandate, and through conversation with the investment team, the art of the possible can be expanded. I’ve enjoyed bringing partnership and investment opportunities into the conversation which have expanded our strategy horizons.”
