Corporate venturing has undergone massive changes in the past 50 years, tracking with the growth and evolution of venture capital (VC) in a sequence of phases or waves punctuated by economic downturns.

Gloom lifts a little for independent venture capital firms and chief executives, with confidence rising round the world.

Survey by US trade body predicts corporate venturing to become standard at Fortune 500 companies.

Average life of a corporate venturing programme increased from 2.5 years to 3.8 years over the past decade as they become a recognised part of the innovation toolkit.

The number of maturing venture capital funds heavily outnumbers those being raised as the industry contracts.

In-house solutions are being replaced by partnerships

Companies are best when portfolio out their corporate venturing unit's portfolio when the division is managed independently.

Venture investors appear to defy the dominant scientific approaches

Many corporations seeking innovation have implemented a venture capital model, but few have taken a serious look at the potential benefits of corporate venture debt.

Observations from studying large multinational companies