Marc Thom, head of Henkel Ventures, is one of the 100 leading corporate venturing professionals in our 2026 Powerlist.
Marc Thom leads Henkel Ventures, the corporate VC unit of Henkel, a Germany-based global leader in consumer brands and adhesive technologies. He joined Henkel in 2022 and consolidated two existing venture units into a single, unified CVC organisation – Henkel Ventures – sharpening its strategic focus and operational effectiveness.
Henkel Ventures invests globally in founders building breakthrough technologies and business models with industrial relevance. Closely aligned with Henkel’s two core business units – consumer brands and adhesive technologies – the team manages two funds of €150 million each (€300 million total AUM), focusing on late-seed through series B opportunities.
Investment themes span material science including sustainability and sustainable ingredients, industrials with robotics and advanced manufacturing, beauty and longevity, as well as artificial intelligence, big data and digital platforms.
The portfolio includes companies such as Insempra, Aether Bio, eeden, Great Many, ResearchGate and Choco.
Before Henkel, Thom spent around 10 years at Sony where he held various roles in strategy and venture capital. Shaped by the mentorship of Gen Tsuchikawa, one of the most respected figures in the global CVC community, Thom invested in technology-driven startups across healthtech, life sciences, AI, robotics, automotive, machine vision, next-generation devices, AR/VR/MR, semiconductors, entertainment and platforms.
Under Thom’s leadership, Henkel Ventures was awarded the EUVC CVC Award 2026 for building partnerships that translate innovation into real-world impact – across new materials, smart manufacturing, circular solutions and consumer experiences.
Thom’s approach reflects a clear philosophy: CVC is not about chasing unicorn valuations or maximising IRR – it is about balancing financial discipline with long-term strategic positioning. A subtle but important recalibration in how venture success is measured.
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:
