Leveraging Corporate Venture Capital for Growth

Corporate Venture Capital (CVC) is a quickly spreading trend amongst early-stage organisations with cutting-edge technology. CVC involves the investment of corporate funds in external startups. Companies may use CVC to lower the risk of startup investing, acquire cutting-edge technology and ideas they would not have come up with on their own, get knowledge of future trends and industries, and ultimately accelerate their growth.

A growing number of businesses are using corporate venture capital (CVC) and other venturing tools like innovation labs, incubators, and accelerators to gain access to new technologies and accelerate innovation by allocating sizable budgets to invest in and support startups as digitisation rapidly transform industries around the world. Companies have other options besides CVC to supplement their own internal R&D.

Venture capital funds are another way businesses can incorporate new ideas or innovations into their current business models. To improve commercial capabilities, bigger firms can use CVC to outsource some of their R&D activities in novel and untested technologies without bearing the full financial and risk burden. As opposed to being the only option, businesses have a variety of options from which to pick depending on their company diversification, innovation initiatives, or unique innovation goals.

Several businesses from a wide range of industries are making progress in growth stage venture capital investments due to the spike in corporate venture capital and the increasing push to partner with startups. For instance, Saudi Aramco Energy Ventures (SAEV), the corporate venture arm of Saudi Aramco, the largest integrated energy company in the world, is seeking to invest in startups that specialise in technology for optimising utilities, hydrocarbon processing, and oil fields.

This article will evaluate the advantages of CVC, look at some effective VC funding examples, and offer advice for venture capital growth for businesses wishing to start their own CVC programme and help them leverage venture capital.

Benefits of Corporate Venture Capital 

The potential for established businesses to acquire cutting-edge technology and concepts that they would not have independently created is one of the main advantages of CVC. Businesses may obtain insight into upcoming trends and put themselves in a position to seize new possibilities by investing in startups that are upending old sectors. They may get a competitive edge and maintain their lead by doing this. VC funding may also assist businesses in finding fresh markets and commercial prospects.

CVC can also assist businesses in reducing risk. Companies can lower the risk of investing in early-stage firms by investing in startups that are currently making money or have a solid track record. This can be crucial for businesses wanting to expand into new areas or diversify their revenue streams.

Successful Examples of Corporate Venture Capital Investments

CVC programmes have been developed by many of the world’s biggest and most prosperous businesses to promote innovation and expansion. Listed below are only a few instances of effective CVC investments:

• Google Ventures was founded in 2009 and has subsequently invested in more than 300 businesses. It is currently known as GV. Uber, Nest, and Slack are among some of its investments that have done the best.

• Established in 1991, Intel Capital has made over 1,500 investments for venture growth. Dropbox, DocuSign, and McAfee are some of its most profitable investments.

• Samsung Ventures: Since its founding in 1999, Samsung Ventures has made investments in more than 400 businesses. Niantic, SmartThings, and Zoom are some of its most profitable ventures.

There are innumerable additional instances of CVC programmes that are effective. In fact, a CB Insights analysis states that CVC investors took part in more than 1,500 acquisitions in 2020, totalling more than $73 billion in the capital.

Tips for establishing a Corporate Venture Capital Program

Here are some ideas to keep in mind if you’re interested in starting a CVC programme for your business: 

• Goal Identification: Before beginning your startup investment, it’s critical to establish your goals and objectives for the CVC programme. Do you want to promote innovation, a growth stage venture capital, open up to new markets, or reduce risk? You may create a plan for your investments by being aware of your objectives.

• Establish Your Investing Criteria: Establishing your growth venture investment criterion is critical after you’ve determined your goals. How far along in a company’s development are you looking to invest? Which sectors are of interest to you? What kinds of technological solutions are you seeking? You can analyse possible investments and make judgements that are well-informed if you have a defined set of criteria.

• Create a Strong Team: A solid team of individuals with experience in leveraging venture capital, entrepreneurship, and the sectors you’re interested in is essential for a successful CVC programme. Ensure that you have a team in place that can assess the possible growth capital firms and assist with portfolio management.

• Be Patient: Being patient is crucial since investing in startups may be a long-term endeavour. Many venture growths may need several years to make a meaningful profit or depart. Expecting profits on your growth capital funds right away is unrealistic; instead, concentrate on developing a solid portfolio that will pay you in the long run with a growth capital fund.

• Utilise Your Network: Much like any sort of investment, the success of your CVC programme depends on your ability to network. One must utilise their network to access growth ventures that seek investment possibilities and keep current on new trends and technology and establish connections with other investors, business owners, and industry experts.

• Be Flexible: The startup ecosystem is continuously changing; therefore, it’s crucial to remain adaptable and flexible. Never hesitate to change your investment plan or modify your portfolio to account for shifting market circumstances.

• Measure your Success: Ultimately, evaluating the effectiveness of your CVC programme and growth venture is critical. Choose key performance indicators (KPIs) that support your objectives and periodically assess your portfolio against them. This will enable you to monitor your success and decide on future investments with knowledge.

Conclusion

Corporate venture capital is an effective instrument for startup investing and allows them to spur innovation, enter new industries, and accelerate development. Companies may acquire a competitive edge and stay on top of the game by investing in early-stage startups using cutting-edge technology. A competent team of specialists, rigorous preparation, a defined set of investment criteria, and patience are necessary to leverage venture capital investments.