Neil Foster of Baker Botts chaired a discussion on frontier tech and AI featuring innovation adviser Bindi Karia, Draper Esprit COO Stuart Chapman and Bruno Maissonier, CEO of AI technology developer AI Brain.

Nagraj Kashyap, head of Microsoft's M12 unit, told attendees that it aims to provide value for portfolio companies while operating with a focus on returns.

Jacqueline LeSage Krause of Munich Re Ventures and David Gilmour of BP Ventures are co-chairs of this year’s GCV Symposium, which is looking at how to navigate market turbulence.

Corporate investment in research and development creates new growth options. The optimal boundaries of the firm depend on the nature of the growth options it creates and on limits to contracting with employees.

When TechStars launched TechStars Studio they described it as an environment for corporates “to rapidly envision, validate, and launch disruptive new startups”. In addition to TechStars Studio, a burgeoning number of venture studios have been launched.

Sometimes one bottom line is not enough. Many investors are no longer satisfied simply by turning a profit. More and more also want their investments to generate a positive impact in the world.

GCV’s Robin Brinkworth spoke to Maisie Devine, who runs AB InBev’s 100-plus Accelerator, on sustainable investing, developing markets, and what blockchain can offer Zambia’s farmers.

GCV’s Robin Brinkworth spoke to the Amazon Alexa Fund’s lead, Paul Bernard, about supporting Alexa, hardware versus software, and how Alexa is aiming for ubiquity.

Anne Dobrée, head of Cambridge Enterprise Seed Funds, talks to editor Thierry Heles about the unit’s work and the evolution of university venturing over the past two decades.

Jonathan Tudor, director of Centrica Innovations, was in Israel for the GCV Israel conference, Israel’s first corporate venturing conference, and to launch a £100m Centrica Innovations fund.