Luba Safran, venture capital lead at Mondelēz SnackFutures Ventures, is one of our top 50 Emerging Leaders in corporate venturing for 2026.
Luba Safran combines a smart understanding of the venturing ecosystem with a strategic mindset, say members of her team. This has helped shape the evolving investment thesis of SnackFutures Ventures, the corporate VC arm of US food manufacturer Mondelēz.
Safran, who joined SnackFutures Ventures two years ago, leads the unit’s investment strategy work and makes connections between Mondelēz and startups, which has resulted in several successful partnerships in open innovation and other areas.
Before joining SnackFutures Ventures, she spent more than nine years at brewer AB InBev in various roles, with the last seven as part of its CVC unit. She was hired at Mondelēz when the company was rethinking the strategy for its ventures arm and needed someone with experience in corporate venturing, as well as food and beverage.
“The fact that I am constantly seeing new things, engaging with new people and considering new opportunities and business problems keeps me feeling alive”
Safran says the challenges that come with the job help keep her on her toes.
“The fact that I am constantly seeing new things, engaging with new people and considering new opportunities and business problems keeps me feeling alive. Also, the free snacks are a highlight that cannot be underestimated either.”
New trends in the food industry that have caught her eye include a revamp of traditional foods. “There’s an interesting trend towards taking something basic and old-fashioned and making it better for you, like a peanut butter and jam sandwich that feels fresh and modern. It requires no technology, but people love it because it is a mix of nostalgia and novelty and there is a lot of room to play with that, along with a lot of contenders.”
As for advice for people coming into corporate venturing, Safran says “there is a real dance to be done between the corporate parent and the startup, and marrying them together in a way that lets you get stuff done is the path to success.”
The Emerging Leaders are mid-career corporate venture professionals who are making an outstanding contribution to their teams and the industry.
See the full list of Emerging Leaders here.
