Corporate venturing executives and people from the venture ecosystem predict what will be the big trends this year.
Bo Ilsoe, managing partner of Nokia Growth Partners, the corporate venturing unit of the Finland-based technology company:
“Industrial internet of things enabled by mobile connectivity and sensor intelligence.”
“Digital and the internet of things for the home, driven by Apple and Google.”
Jay Reinemann, head of BBVA Ventures, the corporate venturing unit of the Spain-based bank:
Roger Lacey, chief executive of Nasdaq-listed broadband company CSI:
Dominique Mégret, head of Swisscom Ventures, the corporate venturing unit of the telecoms company:
Brad McManus, of Capbridge Ventures, a corporate-focused venture firm:
“A consumer spending revival driven by energy cost decline dividend.”
Eileen Tanghal, head of Applied Ventures, the corporate venturing unit of semiconductorcompany Applied Materials:
Kay Enjoji, president of TEL Venture Capital, the corporate venturing unit of Tokyo Electron:
Clara Gutierrez, senior associate, BBVA Ventures, the corporate venturing unit of the Spain-based bank:
Thierry Piret, head of Solvay Ventures, the corporate venturing unit of the chemicals company:
Diego Díaz Pilas, head of new ventures at Iberdrola, the Spain-based energy utility:
“In energy, many deals related to distributed energy are expected for 2015. I would name as specific areas distributed behind-the-meter storage, off grid solar and energy data analytics.”
Georg Schwegler, head of Transamerica Ventures, the corporate venturing unit of Netherlands-based financial services company Aegon:
Geert van de Wouw, head of Shell Technology Ventures, the corporate venturing unit of the anglo-dutch oil and gas company:
“Deployment of western technologies in China and Africa; cross-business fertilisation, for example sensors and robotics in oil and gas – drilling automation, underwater pipeline inspection, high pressure and high temperature sensing in the well; cost-reducing technologies in oil and gas, given lower oil prices.”
“Still big data, but real concrete businesses rather than conceptual. IT security – consumer and enterprise grade – will be more important. Emerging market business models.”
“Big data, ag-tech, feedstock technology and cyber-security.”
Dion Lisle, vice-president of ventures, First Data Ventures, the corporate venturing unit of the US-based transaction processing company:
“Executing against business-to-business payments with startup.”
“Multiple synergistic corporates working together to support and develop new innovation opportunities.”
Maria Peterson, a corporate venturing and innovation executive at materials innovation company JSR Micro:
Luca Binda, general manager of IMI Fondi Chiusi, a venturing unit of Italy-based bank Intesa San Paolo:
Paul Jacquin, managing partner at Randstad Innovation Fund, the corporate venturing unit of the Netherlands-based human resources company:
Paul Morris, director of corporate venturing at government body UK Trade & Industry:
“Expansion of corporate venturing through new participants from all geographies, and growth of corporate venturing commitments through larger and later participation.”
“The internet of things is one to watch as it is just blooming with innovation and seeking to disrupt and become mainstream. The predictive analytics and quantified self will disrupt the way people complete everyday tasks, that will become more automatic and rich with data mashes across work and personal personas.”
“The ramp up of business-to-business internet-of-things deals.”
Sven Rohmann, managing director of SMR Capital, part of consulting firm SMR Consulting:
Graeme Martin, president and CEO of Takeda Ventures, the corporate venturing unit of the Japan-based pharmaceutical company:
“Deeper, direct engagement with innovation at the concept stage.”
Aslak Andersen, financial analyst at Agder Energi Venture, the corporate venturing unit of the Norway-based energy company:
Matt Hermann, senior managing director at Ascension Ventures, the corporate venturing unit of the US-based healthcare system: