Best Practice

We look at some of the greatest corporate VC investments, from a $2.5m investment in a future $170bn company in the 80's to a deal in the wake of the dotcom boom that has produced $130bn.

More corporations are setting up venture studios. They work well with CVC units as long as you understand the strengths of each.

As corporate investment units get bigger, they need a mix of skillsets and career levels — and a good COO to manage them.

Cogent Venture Partners' Mario Augusto Maia talks about the transition from financial asset management to CVC, and how to deal with the hurdles involved.

Some 38% of CVC units have a team dedicated to helping portfolio companies make business connections. It is increasingly becoming a secret weapon for investors as portfolio valuations come under strain.

A small but growing number of CVCs are quietly reaching fund sizes of more than $1bn. When they get there, life changes in some ways.

Spinout creation rates vary wildly at universities and intelligent capital and corporate partners have a big role in changing the numbers.

Invest like a VC, lean into corporate expertise, bring in external entrepreneurs and set up the unit with as much independence as possible.

From joint startup prize competitions to joint investment funds, corporates are increasingly joining forces to source innovation.

Corporate investment units that have business development embedded in their teams tend to outperform those that do without.