Chase Koch, founder at Koch Disruptive Technologies, is one of the 100 leading corporate venturing professionals in our 2026 Powerlist.
The US Midwest produces a substantial share of US innovation, particularly in sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing and clean energy, yet continues to face a “capital imagination” gap. The region attracts only 3% to 5% of US venture capital despite accounting for roughly 16% of GDP, according to the Brookings Institution.
Chase Koch has positioned himself as one of the investors seeking to address that imbalance.
Koch is chief executive of Koch Disruptive Technologies (KDT), the venture and growth arm of Koch, which he founded in 2017 to back companies capable of transforming traditional industries. Since then, the firm has evolved into a multibillion-dollar investment platform focused primarily on growth-stage opportunities, typically deploying $30m or more per transaction.
His remit has expanded alongside changes at the parent organisation. In 2024, Koch was named executive vice-president of Koch, one of the largest privately held companies in the US, with operations spanning energy, chemicals, manufacturing and software. This broader role reinforces the connection between KDT’s investment activity and Koch’s industrial base.
KDT operates with a team of 18, including president and chief operating officer Byron Knight, who leads investment origination and oversees the “Koch as a Laboratory” framework. This model connects portfolio companies with Koch’s operational capabilities to support commercialisation and scale. The platform is complemented by managing directors across key markets, including an international presence in Israel.
Headquartered in Wichita, Kansas, KDT has invested more than $4bn across sectors such as artificial intelligence, healthcare and supply chain technologies, with portfolio companies including ProteanTecs. While historically focused on later-stage growth investments, the firm has in the past year expanded into earlier-stage opportunities, participating in Lucidean’s $18m seed round and OnRamp’s $15m series A.
The portfolio has also demonstrated a track record of strategic outcomes. Koch subsidiary Molex agreed to acquire Teramount shortly after KDT led its $50m series A round, while other exits include Via’s public listing and the sale of Celestial AI to Marvell Technology for $3.25bn.
KDT and Koch Labs report having generated more than $300m in commercial value for portfolio companies, underlining the operational dimension of the strategy.
In this context, Koch’s approach reflects a broader attempt to bridge the gap between industrial capability and venture-backed innovation, particularly in regions and sectors often overlooked by traditional venture capital.
The GCV Powerlist represents the 100 individuals spearheading the future of the corporate venturing industry.
These individuals excel in terms of their venturing approach and structure, number and quality of portfolio companies and in their contributions to the corporate venturing profession.
Here’s a snapshot of their recent deals:
