E538 | Julien Fredonie, Honda Xcelerator Ventures: From R&D to ROI: Inside Honda’s Venture Strategy in Europe

In this episode, Jeppe Høier and Andreas Munk Holm sit down with Julien Fredonie, Head of Europe & Africa at Honda Xcelerator Ventures, for a deep dive into how one of the world’s most iconic manufacturing giants is strategically navigating venture capital across Europe.They explore Honda’s global investment strategy, Julien’s views on Europe’s deeptech strengths, the nuanced role of corporate VC, and why Honda is bullish on European innovation—from climate tech to AI and advanced manufacturing.This one’s a rare look into how a global player allocates capital, thinks about strategic alignment, and partners with both startups and emerging funds.Here’s what’s covered:01:10 Who is Julien Fredonie and what is Honda Xcelerator Ventures?02:40 The 4 Strategic Pillars: Sustainability, Manufacturing, Mobility, AI04:15 What "Deep Tech That Sells" Means to Honda05:30 Strategic Projects Explained: POCs, JVs, and R&D Partnerships07:45 Fund-of-Fund Activity: Why Honda Also Backs VCs09:00 Structuring the CVC: The Role of Julien’s Team vs. Internal Honda R&D11:30 What Startups Get from Honda (Beyond Capital)13:45 Deep Tech DD: How Honda Approaches Validation from Inside & Outside23:30 Where Europe Stands Out: Climate, Advanced Industry, AI25:30 Gen 2 Climate Tech: From Environmental to Industrial Impact26:15 The State of French VC and Deep Tech Momentum