Inside CVC by u-path

In this Inside CVC Encore, we revisit our conversation with Salesforce Chief Futurist Peter Schwartz and You.com founder and CEO Richard Socher. We explore what leadership looks like in a world where technological change is no longer sequential, but simultaneous and accelerating.Drawing on their experience shaping AI strategy at Salesforce years before the current wave, they unpack how AI is redefining work, decision-making, and the role of leaders across the enterprise.From managing a human and digital workforce… to the reality that “we’re all going to become managers of AI”… to the tension between innovation, regulation, and global competitiveness…this conversation sits at the intersection of foresight, technology, and leadership.As Peter Schwartz puts it, the pace and scope of AI-driven change is unlike anything we’ve seen in decades. And as Richard Socher argues, those who lean in will pull ahead, while those who hesitate risk falling behind.This episode sets the stage for what comes next.Support the showCatch up on all episodes of Inside CVC at www.u-path.com/podcast.

In this Inside CVC Encore episode, Deborah Elms joins Steve and Philipp for a timely conversation on the Supreme Court’s ruling against the Trump administration’s use of IEEPA tariffs—and why the ruling did not end tariff uncertainty.Deborah explains what happened in the first 72 hours after the decision, why companies faced immediate confusion over tariff rates, exemptions, and refunds, and how the administration’s pivot to other trade tools could create a more durable, more complex tariff environment.The conversation is newly relevant as businesses begin seeking refunds tied to the ruling, with refund processing now underway but expected to remain administratively complex.  It also lands amid continued Middle East instability, where infrastructure, energy, and desalination have become part of the broader risk landscape. For boards, CEOs, strategy leaders, and corporate venture teams, this episode is about more than tariffs. It is about volatility, executive power, supply chains, regional trade blocs, and what it means to operate when the assumptions of the last 80 years no longer feel stable.Support the showCatch up on all episodes of Inside CVC at www.u-path.com/podcast.

In this Inside CVC Encore from Season 1, Episode 1, we revisit his conversation with J. Carl Ganter, founder and managing director of Circle of Blue and a veteran storyteller whose work spans National Geographic, network TV news, and NPR. The episode lands at a moment when desalination plants and water infrastructure across the Middle East are making headlines as targets in the Iran conflict, putting the systemic risks Carl warned about squarely in front of the boardroom.Carl frames water as an existential supply chain risk that cannot be solved alone. He walks through why CVCs have a "license to be curious" the rest of the investing world does not, why the AI-era data center buildout has forced water back onto the C-suite agenda, and why castle resiliency fails when everyone around you is going dry. He also unpacks the UAE and Saudi Arabia race on water tech, the U.S. Farm Bill's outsized role in global water policy, and the Apollo 13-style coordination this moment demands.If you sit on a board, run a CVC function, or own enterprise risk inside a multinational, this one is worth the rerun.Support the showCatch up on all episodes of Inside CVC at www.u-path.com/podcast.

Otto Scharmer is a Senior Lecturer at MIT and the originator of Theory U, the foundation of U-Path. In this conversation, Otto walks Philipp and Steve through what it actually means to lead from an emerging future rather than the past, and why that distinction matters more now than ever.They dig into the four levels of listening. Downloading. Factual. Empathic. And the one most leaders never reach: generative. Otto explains how the quality of your listening determines whether a conversation produces something new or just recycles what everyone already knows.The conversation also covers his new book's seven practices for transformation, the social soil metaphor rooted in his family's biodynamic farm in Germany, and what boards need to change in the next twelve months to lead through disruption rather than react to it. Including why knowledge, comfort, and action are all overrated, and what to cultivate instead.If you work in leadership, governance, or organizational change, this one will shift something.Support the showCatch up on all episodes of Inside CVC at www.u-path.com/podcast.

Oliver Zeidler made history at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, winning gold in the men's single scull and breaking the Olympic record by nearly five seconds in the semi-final. But he will tell you the medal wasn't won in Paris. It was won three weeks earlier, at a World Cup race in Lucerne, where he finished second. In this episode of Inside CVC, Philipp and Steve sit down with Oliver for a conversation about reinvention, high-performance leadership, and what it actually takes to build a winning system from scratch. After finishing outside the A final at Tokyo 2020 as the gold medal favorite, Oliver walked away from the German national program entirely. He assembled his own fully-sponsored, cross-functional team: sports psychologists, biomechanics specialists, physiotherapists. He rebuilt his training from the ground up. The result speaks for itself.  Oliver is currently an MBA candidate at IMD in Lausanne and a former Deloitte consultant. The parallels between his path to gold and what it takes to build and lead a great organization are not forced. They are exact.  For founders, executives, and investors who believe performance is a system, not a personality, this one is worth your full attention.Support the showCatch up on all episodes of Inside CVC at www.u-path.com/podcast.

In this episode of Inside CVC, Joanna Massey explores how AI and digital platforms are reshaping boardroom governance.The conversation examines how polarization, employee stress, and shifting expectations around free speech are impacting decision-making inside companies. Joanna introduces the concept of “mass incitement” and explains why boards must take a more active role in overseeing how technology influences behavior, culture, and risk.The discussion also covers the role of trust and transparency in today’s workforce, why productive disagreement is critical for innovation, and how boards can navigate increasing pressure at the intersection of business, society, and policy.A clear look at what it takes to govern effectively in a digital, divided world.In this episode, we discuss: How AI and social media are reshaping governance, employee behavior, and board-level risk  The rise of polarization and “mass incitement” and what it means for oversight and accountability  Why trust, transparency, and productive disagreement are now critical to innovation and decision-making Support the showCatch up on all episodes of Inside CVC at www.u-path.com/podcast.

The CVC Open Innovation Summit began as a small gathering of corporate venture, strategy, and innovation leaders looking for something missing in the market: a trusted environment where decision-makers could collaborate on the challenges shaping industry.In this special episode of Inside CVC, Steve Schmith speaks with Philipp Willigmann of U-Path Advisors and Daniel Kennel of BorgWarner about how the summit series is evolving into a global platform connecting leaders across industries.They discuss the community’s mission:To build the most trusted global platform empowering industry leaders to unite capital, innovation, and strategy to shape the future of business and society.The conversation explores the topics driving dialogue across recent summits in Miami and Berlin, why cross-industry collaboration matters more than ever, and what comes next as the community expands globally.To learn more about the CVC Open Innovation community and get involved, visit cvc-summit.com. Support the showCatch up on all episodes of Inside CVC at www.u-path.com/podcast.

When the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the Trump administration illegally imposed tariffs under IEEPA, markets reacted fast. But relief quickly gave way to confusion.In this episode, Deborah Elms, Head of Trade Policy at the Singapore-based Hinrich Foundation, explains what happened in the first 72 hours, why some countries now feel blindsided, and how the administration’s pivot to other tariff tools could make this moment more durable, not less.We cover:Who wins and loses across Asia-PacificWhich sectors remain exposed under Section 232 and 301Whether the ruling strengthens U.S. constitutional guardrailsHow regional blocs like RCEP and CPTPP are acceleratingWhat boards and CEOs should do nowElms argues this is not just a legal correction. It may be a structural shift in global trade architecture — one that will shape corporate strategy and geopolitical alignment for years to come.Support the showCatch up on all episodes of Inside CVC at www.u-path.com/podcast.

What happens when you leave a world class platform like Deloitte without a plan, and then choose to spend your next chapter on a problem hiding in plain sight?In this episode of Inside CVC, we sit down with Janet Foutty, former CEO of Deloitte Consulting in the United States and Executive Board Chair of Deloitte US, now focused on driving impact across women’s health, tech for good, and long-term research ecosystems. Janet shares what stayed consistent through the transition. Service. Leading through influence. And the discipline of deciding what not to do when there are a thousand worthy directions.The core conversation centers on the health of women and the “healthspan gap.” Women live longer than men, but spend significantly more years in poor health. Janet unpacks why. Research has historically treated women as “small men.” Women are underrepresented in clinical trials. And only a small share of research and investment dollars targets conditions that affect women differently or disproportionately.We also get practical for corporate venture capital and board leaders. Janet outlines a simple starting point. Ask every health investment whether sex based differences are being measured. Push portfolio companies to include women appropriately in trials. And treat women’s health benefits as a strategic workforce issue, not a niche add on.We close on leadership in uncertainty. Why boards are getting stuck. What it takes to move with imperfect information. And the mindset Janet uses on the down days. Play the long game. Show up well in the small moments. And remember that complex problems stay complex for a reason.If you care about investment with real outcomes, and leadership that holds up when the title disappears, this one will land.Support the showCatch up on all episodes of Inside CVC at www.u-path.com/podcast.

Longevity is not just a healthcare issue. It is a workforce issue. It is a competitiveness issue. It is an everything issue.In this episode of Inside CVC, we sit down with Katharina Janus, founder of Fourth Quarter Life and a longtime healthcare leader across managed care, hospitals, academia, and consulting. She shares the personal moment that changed her work forever. Navigating her father’s Alzheimer’s care showed her how opaque and unfair the system feels, even when you know the system inside and out.We dig into why aging is the next defining mega trend for markets and society, and why the “care at home is cheaper” argument often ignores the real cost. The unpaid caregiver. Usually a woman. Usually sacrificing income and retirement.Katharina explains what is breaking first. Staffing shortages. Fragmented care. Incentives that turn care into transactions. And she makes a clear prediction. By 2030, systems start to buckle under the math.We also explore what corporate leaders and investors tend to miss. The productivity drain of the sandwich generation. The loss of experienced talent. And the social risk of fear and desperation spreading through a population that sees what aging looks like up close.Her answer is relationship based care. A return to the human motivations that make integrated care work when incentive schemes fail. For CVCs and corporate boards, the takeaway is direct. Stop funding isolated point solutions. Connect the dots. Build portfolios that integrate tech with human care, and treat eldercare support as a strategic advantage, not a nice-to-have.Support the showCatch up on all episodes of Inside CVC at www.u-path.com/podcast.

What do the Hindenburg, the Titanic, Boeing, and the Challenger disaster have in common?According to historian and author Edward Tenner, they were not failures of incompetence. They were failures born from success, confidence, and blind spots.In this episode of Inside CVC, Tenner explains why highly capable organizations still make catastrophic mistakes. From the smoking lounge on the Hindenburg to safety measures that destabilized the SS Eastland, which capsized in 1915 while docked in the Chicago River, we explore how innovations designed to reduce risk often create new vulnerabilities.We discuss:Why disasters often strike respected, well-managed institutionsHow shared assumptions normalize risky decisionsThe illusion of safety and how protections can backfireWhy reputational risk and public outrage should be top board concernsWhat today’s leaders can learn from long-term “deep organizations”Tenner argues that resilience is less about speed and more about depth. Organizations that protect R&D, maintain reserves of expertise, and adopt a 20 to 25 year time horizon are better positioned to navigate uncertainty.For boards facing AI acceleration, automation, and geopolitical volatility, this conversation is a reminder: the most dangerous risks are often the unintended ones already forming beneath the surface.Support the showCatch up on all episodes of Inside CVC at www.u-path.com/podcast.

In this episode of Inside CVC, we’re joined by David Homan, author of Orchestrating Connection, for a wide-ranging conversation on why trust, gratitude, and intentional community building are no longer “soft skills,” but strategic advantages in corporate venture capital and M&A.Drawing from more than a decade of building a global, high-trust network spanning family offices, venture capital, private equity, and corporate leadership, David challenges the transactional mindset that dominates deal-making today. He argues that the biggest failures in CVC and M&A often stem from ignoring relationships—while the biggest wins are unlocked by honoring the chain of connection behind every opportunity.We explore why leaders who prioritize curiosity and vulnerability make better long-term decisions, how communities function as strategic “current” rather than static structures, and why boards should treat trusted relationships with the same rigor as capital allocation. Along the way, David shares real stories from the worlds of venture investing, corporate strategy, and global leadership that illustrate how connection can de-risk bold bets—and why cutting out the connector often costs more than leaders realize.This is a conversation for CEOs, board members, CVC leaders, and operators navigating complexity, uncertainty, and transformation—where who you trust may matter more than what you buy.What You’ll Hear in This EpisodeWhy **relationships—not assets—often determine the success or failure of M&A and CVC betsHow honoring the chain of connection builds trust, access, and long-term advantageThe difference between transactional capital and community-driven value creationWhy curiosity and vulnerability are underutilized leadership strengths in boardroomsHow trusted communities act as a strategic hedge during periods of disruptionWhat corporate leaders miss when they prioritize speed over integrity in deal-makingA simple, practical ritual leaders can use immediately to strengthen trust and influenceSupport the showCatch up on all episodes of Inside CVC at www.u-path.com/podcast.

In Part Two of our special Inside CVC series recapping the CVC Open Innovation Summit in Berlin, the conversation moves from diagnosis to execution.Episode One explored urgency.  Episode Two focuses on alignment.As Europe faces accelerating technological change, geopolitical pressure, and widening capital gaps, the challenge is no longer awareness. It’s how leaders align capital, institutions, and organizational systems once the direction is clear.This episode brings together perspectives from SAP, the European Stability Initiative, Roche, PwC, policymakers, and summit leadership to examine why execution breaks down — and what it takes to move from ambition to coordinated action.The conversation culminates with a look ahead to Miami, where these themes continue at the next CVC Open Innovation Summit.Support the showCatch up on all episodes of Inside CVC at www.u-path.com/podcast.

In late November, leaders from across Europe gathered in Berlin for the first European edition of the CVC Open Innovation Summit. What emerged was not another debate about whether innovation matters, but a far more urgent question: is Europe actually set up to execute?In Part 1 of this special two-part Inside CVC series, host Steve Schmith takes listeners inside the Berlin summit to explore why this moment feels different. Corporate investors, policymakers, founders, and ecosystem leaders speak candidly about capital gaps, risk tolerance, regulation, and the growing pressure to move from ambition to action.Across conversations with summit co-host Philipp Willigmann, German Bundestag Financial Policy Spokesperson Katharina Beck, venture investor Tanja Emmerling, PwC’s Florian Noell, SAP’s Florian Kunzke, Roche’s Caroline Creven-Fourier, and former Inside CVC guest Martin Hüllen, a clear pattern emerges. Europe does not lack ideas or talent. What it struggles with is execution at scale.This episode explores:Why access to capital alone is not enoughHow regulation and policy must keep pace with innovationThe growing tension between risk-taking and hesitationWhat execution actually looks like inside corporationsWhy human capital, culture, and trust are central to innovationAnd why alignment, not awareness, is now Europe’s binding constraintBerlin did not produce easy answers. Instead, it surfaced the hard work still ahead.In Part 2, the conversation turns forward—into AI, sovereignty, policy alignment, and what real collaboration must become if insight is going to turn into action.Support the showCatch up on all episodes of Inside CVC at www.u-path.com/podcast.

Europe once led the world in autonomous driving. Massive public investment. Breakthrough demonstrations. Real vehicles on real highways long before autonomy was mainstream.So what happened?In this episode of Inside CVC, we sit down with Christian to unpack the rise, stall, and potential resurgence of autonomy in Europe. Drawing from decades of experience across research labs, OEMs, and boardrooms, Christian explains why Europe’s challenge isn’t technology. It’s culture, regulation, and execution.You’ll hear how early European leadership gave way to faster deployment in the U.S., why China’s “progress over perfection” mindset changed the global pace of innovation, and how fragmented regulation slowed momentum across the EU. We also explore the growing gap between hardware-centric automotive cultures and agile software development, and why autonomy is no longer about cars, but autonomous systems across industries.This conversation goes beyond autonomy. It’s about trust, talent, and the courage to deploy innovation before perfection.In this episode, you’ll hear:Why Europe led early in autonomy and why it lost momentumHow U.S. and Chinese regulatory models accelerated deploymentThe cultural clash between automotive hardware and agile software teamsWhy autonomy is evolving into broader autonomous systemsWhat Europe needs to rebuild trust, talent, and speedSupport the showCatch up on all episodes of Inside CVC at www.u-path.com/podcast.

In this episode of Inside CVC, Steve and Philipp sit down with Jen Randle, co-founder of SGNL, a strategic advisory and content firm known for helping leaders communicate with clarity, coherence, and purpose. Jen has spent her career advising executives, founders, and institutions on how to build trust by aligning what they say with what they do. Her work at SGNL focuses on narrative clarity, strategic storytelling, and the deeper system dynamics that shape leadership and culture.Jen introduces a simple but powerful idea. Congruency is the new credibility. When the inside matches the outside, trust grows. When it doesn’t, trust erodes. And that erosion shows up everywhere including valuation, culture, M&A integration, AI adoption, ESG strategy, customer loyalty, and even a company’s license to operate.Listeners will hear: • Why trust should be treated like an asset on the balance sheet • How congruency breaks and what it costs • Why greenwashing is a failure of alignment rather than messaging • How ESG becomes stewardship when leaders think long term • Why M&A deals collapse when trust mapping is ignored • How innovators earn public trust in AI, robotics, and new industrial technologies • What leaders can ask themselves right now to find where trust is fracturingThis is a conversation for anyone building innovation portfolios, running CVC programs, merging cultures, navigating public scrutiny, or operating in markets where the permission to move fast must be earned daily.Support the showCatch up on all episodes of Inside CVC at www.u-path.com/podcast.

Engineer, board director, and Shifting Gears author Kristin Slanina joins Inside CVC for a candid conversation on what it really takes to lead transformation in an industry that’s been “five years away” from disruption for more than a decade.Kristin shares how discomfort became one of her greatest teachers, what she learned building Ford’s original Blueprint for Mobility, and why electric and autonomous vehicles will only scale when leadership mindsets change as fast as the technology. She also takes us inside her work on EV adoption, boardroom blind spots, and the bold choices that have shaped her own career.Listeners will hear:How discomfort shapes stronger leaders and why Kristin sees self-trust as a superpowerWhy EV adoption still struggles and what she uncovered during the Charge Across America rallyThe real gap between boardroom assumptions and the everyday mobility experienceHow leaders can future-proof their companies by getting back to the front lines and embracing innovationBuy Kristin's book here: Shifting Gears: 7 Power Moves to Design a Life You Love, Grow Your Career, and Lead With ImpactSupport the showCatch up on all episodes of Inside CVC at www.u-path.com/podcast.

Innovation inside large companies often runs on instinct, scattered pilots, and wishful thinking. Yaron Flint joins us to explain why so many corporates still lack a true playbook — and how a more structured approach can turn chaos into clarity.Listeners will hear Yaron discuss:Why he wrote Innovative Business Development and the gap he saw across global organizations.The four pathways for bringing innovation into a company — and why partnership remains the most underused.How competitor-to-competitor collaboration can actually accelerate maturity.The fragmentation of CVC in Europe and what it takes to build strategy-driven venture programs.We also explore leadership blind spots, the tension between long-term innovation and short-term markets, the slowdown and reset of the “future of mobility,” and what executives should prioritize as they build the next decade of innovation inside their companies.Buy Yaron's book here: Innovative Business Development: Implementing Transformation from WithinSupport the showCatch up on all episodes of Inside CVC at www.u-path.com/podcast.

In this episode, Philipp Mueller, Vice President, Public Sector at DriveLock and Co-Founder of the European Resilience Summit Series, joins Inside CVC to explore why resilience — not sovereignty — is becoming Europe’s defining strategy in an age of constant disruption.He shares how leaders can rethink governance, investment, and collaboration around adaptation and trust rather than borders and control. Philipp, Steve, and Philipp Willigmann discuss:How resilience shifts from a defensive posture to an enabling mindsetWhy “flows, not borders” defines the new logic of global managementThe four pillars of European resilience and what they mean for businessThe role of corporate leaders as ethical guardrails amid rising divisionIn a world defined by disruption, what if resilience — not sovereignty — were the true measure of strength?Support the showCatch up on all episodes of Inside CVC at www.u-path.com/podcast.

In this episode of Inside CVC, hosts Steve Schmith and Philipp Willigmann speak with Andy Binns, co-founder and Managing Director of Change Logic, and co-author of Corporate Explorer and the forthcoming Corporate Explorer Fieldbook. Andy has spent his career helping CEOs, boards, and innovation leaders at companies like Analog Devices, RELX, and UNIQA Insurance build new growth businesses while sustaining the core.Listeners will hear:Why most corporations fail to scale innovation—the “sixteen-percent problem”How boards and CEOs can rethink governance and incentives to unlock real growthWhat it takes to build an ambidextrous organization capable of exploring and executing at onceLessons from Europe’s Mittelstand and what large enterprises can learn from themWhy embracing uncertainty and saying “I don’t know” may be the smartest move a leader can makeBuy Andy's books here: Corporate Explorer: How Corporations Beat Startups at the Innovation Game and Corporate Explorer Fieldbook: How to Build New Ventures In Established CompaniesSupport the showCatch up on all episodes of Inside CVC at www.u-path.com/podcast.

In this powerful episode of Inside CVC, Steve and Philipp are joined by Gerald Knaus, founding chairman of the European Stability Initiative and author of The European Miracle and Its Enemies.Knaus reflects on how post-war Europe built an unprecedented framework of peace, democracy, and economic cooperation—and why that “European miracle” is now under its greatest threat since 1949. From the war in Ukraine to the rise of populist movements and waning transatlantic trust, he explores what’s at stake and what leaders—corporate, civic, and political—must do to defend Europe’s most vital competitive advantage: the rule of law.Listeners will hear:Why complacency and forgotten history threaten Europe’s foundation of peaceHow corporate leaders can strengthen Europe’s unity and innovation through the rule of lawWhat a truly independent, secure, and globally competitive Europe could look like by 2050Buy Gerald's books here: Which Europe do we need?Support the showCatch up on all episodes of Inside CVC at www.u-path.com/podcast.

Disability is often seen through the lens of charity — but what if it’s actually one of the greatest drivers of innovation?In this episode of Inside CVC, hosts Steve Schmith and Philipp Willigmann speak with Pete Horsley, founder of Remarkable, a global accelerator for disability technology startups. From Sydney, Pete shares why inclusion isn’t just the right thing to do — it’s the smart thing to do for corporations, investors, and innovators.Listeners will hear:Why disability tech represents a $70B+ market opportunity by 2030How corporations like Apple are proving inclusion is both profitable and transformativeThe promise (and risk) of AI and robotics in shaping accessible futuresWhy every boardroom should see disability as an innovation advantage, not a side projectWhether you’re an investor, corporate leader, or innovator, this conversation will shift how you think about talent, technology, and the future of inclusive business.Support the showCatch up on all episodes of Inside CVC at www.u-path.com/podcast.

What if the greatest untapped driver of innovation isn’t found in Silicon Valley, but in the lived experience of people with disabilities?In this episode of Inside CVC, Steve Schmith and Philipp Willigmann sit down with Regina “Gina” Kline, founder of Enable Ventures and a pioneer at the intersection of civil rights and impact investing. From her years litigating landmark ADA cases at the U.S. Department of Justice to her current role backing DisabilityTech startups, Gina has seen firsthand how inclusion fuels market transformation.Listeners will hear:How lessons from landmark ADA litigation shaped her approach to investing and innovationWhy the disability economy—worth trillions globally—remains overlooked, and why that’s about to changeReal-world examples of startups building breakthrough solutions with disability-led designHow inclusive innovation drives top-line growth, talent retention, and competitive advantageWhat the corporations of 2035 will look like if inclusion, aging, mental health, and AI displacement are addressed head-onThis conversation is both practical and inspiring—a call to action for corporate venture leaders, boards, and strategy executives to see disability not as “edge case,” but as the future of innovation.Support the showCatch up on all episodes of Inside CVC at www.u-path.com/podcast.

In this episode of Inside CVC, we sit down with Howard Ross—author, consultant, and one of the nation’s preeminent thought leaders on unconscious bias and organizational change. Howard brings a candid, historical, and forward-looking perspective on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) at a time when the topic is both urgent and contested.Listeners will hear:Why DEI has always followed a “three steps forward, two steps back” cycle—and what makes this moment unique.How unconscious bias quietly shapes hiring, investing, and innovation decisions—and ways leaders can address it without fueling backlash.The intersection of DEI with AI, future of work, and disability inclusion—and how corporate leaders can build equity into both culture and shareholder value.Buy Howard's books here: Everyday Bias and othersSupport the showCatch up on all episodes of Inside CVC at www.u-path.com/podcast.

Europe is at a crossroads in shaping its technological future. In this episode of Inside CVC, Martin Hullin, Managing Director of the Network for Technological Resilience & Sovereignty Europe’s Future Program Bertelsmann Stiftung introduces Eurostack—a visionary framework designed to strengthen Europe’s sovereignty, resilience, and competitiveness in the digital age.Listeners will hear:Why Eurostack is sparking both excitement and controversy in Europe—and what it means for global corporations.How corporate venture capital can accelerate value-driven innovation and help shape future markets.The risks of global fragmentation around technology standards, and the opportunities for cross-border collaboration.Support the showCatch up on all episodes of Inside CVC at www.u-path.com/podcast.

As experts gather in Berlin and Brussels to debate climate policy, MIT Sloan’s Jason Jay joins Inside CVC to cut through the ESG noise. He introduces the Four Lenses Framework, showing how boards can focus on what matters, align purpose with business value, and invest for long-term impact.You’ll hear:How to separate signal from noise in ESGWhy short-termism blocks real progressHow cross-industry coalitions can drive systems changePractical ways leaders can turn sustainability into strategyBuy Jason's book here: Breaking Through Gridlock: The Power of Conversation in a Polarized World Support the showCatch up on all episodes of Inside CVC at www.u-path.com/podcast.

Robotics is moving from the lab to the loading dock, farm, and job site—and the playbook is changing. In this episode, Sam Abidi—robotics expert and member of the U-Path Advisory team—explains how to pick the right first use cases, redesign operations around machines, and structure partnerships that actually scale. We cover ROI beyond simple labor displacement, how CVCs de-risk technical bets, and why the integration playbook for AI agents mirrors what’s worked in robotics.What we coverReal deployments gaining traction: sidewalk delivery robots, trailer unloaders, and autonomous construction equipmentThe integration playbook: select use cases, re-engineer operations, define KPIs, and stage-gate rolloutsROI that compounds: productivity and quality gains vs. pure labor savingsPartnering to scale: robotics company ↔ industrial customer, plus OEM/JV dynamicsBuild, buy, or partner? When M&A “programs-in-a-box” make senseWorkforce strategy: reskilling to remote ops and advanced maintenanceCVC’s edge: technical diligence, creative structures, and internal championingWhy AI agent adoption will follow the robotics integration modelGuest: Sam Abidi, Robotics & Autonomy Advisor, U-Path Advisory; former CCO at Embark Trucks; founder, Apex Advisors.Subscribe to Inside CVC and explore more episodes at u-path.com/podcast.Support the showCatch up on all episodes of Inside CVC at www.u-path.com/podcast.

In a moment when AI is rewarding efficiency and headlines spotlight shrinking management layers, strategist and author Kaihan Krippendorff argues the real advantage comes from optionality—and from empowering intrapreneurs across the enterprise. We dig into why the MVP-and-hyperscale era is giving way to longer feedback cycles and thesis-driven bets, what distinguishes innovation programs that outperform, and how to fund and govern “everyone innovates” cultures without blowing up what already works.Kaihan breaks down the data behind four innovation models (dedicated team vs. everyone innovates; central fund vs. distributed P&L funding), why themes—not pure financial goals—should steer CVC, and the seven common blockers that stall progress (from “not-no” approvals to business-model conflict). We explore second-order effects (think microwave → workforce shifts), the inefficiency of internal idea marketplaces, partnering vs. building, translating early-stage metrics for CFOs and boards, and reorganizing around small P&L teams that buy and sell services internally.You’ll learnHow to architect portfolio bets tied to strategy—not just quarterly EPSFunding mechanisms that force real BU buy-inPractical tactics for intrapreneurs to navigate politics and get a true “yes”A two-part playbook: help people see themselves as intrapreneurs and retire the false “old vs. new” dichotomyBuy Kaihan's books here: Proximity and Outthink the Competition.Support the showCatch up on all episodes of Inside CVC at www.u-path.com/podcast.

Vietnam and Southeast Asia are fast becoming global hotspots for innovation and venture capital, but success in the region requires more than just money. In this episode of Inside CVC, Steve Schmith and Philipp Willigmann sit down with entrepreneur, investor, and community builder Cuong Dang to explore the realities of scaling startups and corporate ventures in one of the world’s most dynamic markets.Cuong shares his journey from launching and exiting startups in the U.S. to leading Enterprise Holdings’ expansion into Vietnam, and now advising and investing in startups across Southeast Asia. He unpacks what international investors often get wrong about the region, why cultural context and trust matter as much as capital, and how his Vietnam Vanguard community is helping founders break through growth plateaus. The conversation dives into Vietnam’s most promising sectors—from logistics and supply chain to education and mobility—while offering practical advice for CVC leaders, corporates, and entrepreneurs navigating cross-border innovation.Support the showCatch up on all episodes of Inside CVC at www.u-path.com/podcast.

In this episode of Inside CVC, we sit down with Hee S. ("Hee") Jung, CEO of SK Chemicals America and head of SK Group’s corporate venture investment operations in North America. Just days after SK Group announced strong earnings in South Korea, Hee offers an inside look at how the conglomerate is navigating today’s global headwinds—from regulatory shifts and tariff challenges to geopolitical uncertainty—while doubling down on innovation that delivers operational value.Hee shares how SK has shifted its innovation strategy from long-term moonshots to near-term impact, embedding pilots and partnerships into operational KPIs and empowering teams to adopt AI, robotics, and cybersecurity solutions. He also talks candidly about working with startups, the importance of localized strategy, and how trust from leadership enables long-term vision even amid quarterly pressures.Whether you’re a founder looking to partner with a global corporation or a corporate innovator trying to scale new technology from within, this conversation offers real-world strategies for aligning innovation with execution—across borders, business units, and cultures.Support the showCatch up on all episodes of Inside CVC at www.u-path.com/podcast.

Futurist Peter Schwartz (Chief Future Officer, Salesforce) and AI pioneer Richard Socher (CEO, You.com) join Inside CVC to explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping work, leadership, and society. They reflect on the evolution of AI at Salesforce, the shifting skills required of tomorrow’s leaders, and how regulation, culture, and global risk shape innovation. From scenario planning and AI literacy to Europe’s innovation lag and the promise of inclusive technology, this wide-ranging conversation offers powerful foresight into the opportunities—and responsibilities—emerging in this era of accelerated change.Topics include:AI agents, digital assistants & enterprise automationManaging human vs. digital workforcesAI’s role in regulation, inclusion, and misinformationInnovation culture in the U.S. vs. EuropePreparing for the "age of leisure" and redefining human workA must-listen for corporate innovators, CVC leaders, and futurists navigating the next wave of transformation.Read more from Richard and Peter here, including "The Art of the Longvie.w"Support the showCatch up on all episodes of Inside CVC at www.u-path.com/podcast.

Enterprise AI strategist Alec Coughlin joins Inside CVC to share hard-earned insights on scaling AI beyond the memo. Alec challenges common misconceptions about “AI-first” strategies and explains why so few companies are truly AI-mature. We explore how leading enterprises like McKinsey, Blue Yonder, and Union Square Ventures are operationalizing intelligent systems—and what corporate innovators and venture investors can learn from them. From automation vs. augmentation to stitching AI agents into workflows, Alec unpacks the risks, opportunities, and mindsets needed to thrive in the age of digital labor.Support the showCatch up on all episodes of Inside CVC at www.u-path.com/podcast.

In this episode of Inside CVC, futurist and innovation expert Jonathan Brill, author of Rogue Waves, joins Steve Schmith and Philipp Willigmann for a provocative conversation about navigating—and capitalizing on—radical change. From AI and demographic shifts to geopolitical volatility and supply chain resilience, Brill explains how corporate venture capital can create real value by investing ahead of disruption, not in spite of it. He shares strategies for scenario planning, insights on how CFOs and founders should rethink risk, and the mindset required to thrive in an uncertain world. If you're a corporate investor, strategist, or founder looking to future-proof your approach, this is a must-listen. Buy Jonathan's book here: Rogue Waves and AI and the Octopus OrganizationSupport the showCatch up on all episodes of Inside CVC at www.u-path.com/podcast.

In this episode of Inside CVC, we sit down with Michael Granoff, founder of Maniv Mobility, to explore the dynamic forces reshaping the movement of people and goods. From electric trucks in California to two-wheelers in India, Maniv’s portfolio reflects the global push toward decarbonization, automation, and digitization. Michael shares candid insights on the rise of Chinese EV dominance, the challenges of aligning corporate venture capital with geopolitical uncertainty, and what the road ahead looks like for autonomous vehicles and AI in mobility. If you're navigating the intersection of venture capital, mobility innovation, and global industrial strategy, this conversation is a must-listen.Support the showCatch up on all episodes of Inside CVC at www.u-path.com/podcast.

In this episode of Inside CVC, we sit down with Shawn Hoyer, Head of Venture Capital Coverage at Bank of America, to explore how capital markets are evolving—and what it means for founders, investors, and corporate innovators. From the fluidity of global capital and the rise of sovereign wealth funds to the future of AI-driven startups and public market exits, Shawn unpacks the macro trends reshaping the venture and CVC landscape. We also dive into the shifting role of the U.S. in global innovation, the risks of isolationism, and how legacy systems and political fragmentation are holding back progress. Whether you're on Sand Hill Road or inside a corporate innovation lab, this is a must-listen for anyone navigating the future of strategic capital. Support the showCatch up on all episodes of Inside CVC at www.u-path.com/podcast.

In Episode 5 of Inside CVC, we continue our deep dive into the 2025 CVC Open Innovation Summit, this time focusing on highlights and takeaways from Day 2. Co-hosts Steve Schmith and Philipp Willigmann explore how Miami took center stage as an emerging hub for globally connected innovation—spanning Latin America, Europe, and beyond.We spotlight the city’s growing influence in sectors like climate tech, logistics, and healthcare, and unpack the critical role public-private partnerships play in fueling scale-stage innovation. You’ll hear reflections on key sessions, including:The Miami economic development panel featuring voices from Greenberg Traurig, the Beacon Council, and Vatsco VenturesA powerful keynote from innovation strategist Kaihan Krippendorff on intrapreneurship and moving early on transformationInsights on mobility, talent-driven innovation, and the cultural foundation needed to build a future-ready organizationPlus, hear behind-the-scenes takeaways from conversations with thought leaders that challenge the status quo of corporate venture capital.Whether you’re a corporate innovator, ecosystem builder, or curious policymaker, this episode offers rich perspective on what it takes to drive meaningful innovation—internally and across borders.Support the showCatch up on all episodes of Inside CVC at www.u-path.com/podcast.

In this episode of Inside CVC, hosts Steve Schmith and Philipp Willigmann explore the origins, purpose, and outcomes of the CVC Open Innovation Summit in Miami. Philipp shares how a dinner conversation in 2023 sparked a movement to create a trusted, high-impact environment for CVC and innovation leaders—culminating in a summit designed by CVCs, for CVCs.Listeners will hear how this unique event came together, what made it different, and why it resonated with corporate investors, policymakers, academics, and startup founders alike. Topics include:The grassroots story behind the summit’s creationInsights from organizing partners like BorgWarner, Bosch, and MitsubishiTakeaways from Bank of America’s economic outlook keynoteThe growing role of AI, venture clienting, and C-suite alignment in innovation strategyRegional investment trends in Africa, India, South Korea, and Latin AmericaThis episode sets the stage for a broader conversation about the ecosystems, tools, and leadership perspectives shaping corporate venture capital today—and tomorrow.Brought to you by UPath Advisors. Inside CVC: Insights that shape tomorrow.Support the showCatch up on all episodes of Inside CVC at www.u-path.com/podcast.

Welcome to Episode 3 of Inside CVC! In this special behind-the-scenes edition, co-hosts Steve Schmith and Philipp Willigmann sit down—finally together on the mic—to talk about the "why" behind Inside CVC.If you’re just tuning in, this is your chance to meet the minds behind the podcast. Steve and Philipp share the story of how the show came to life, reflect on their shared background in corporate innovation, and offer a candid look at what’s shaping today’s global venture and open innovation landscape.You’ll hear:What sparked the launch of Inside CVCThe mission and vision behind U-PathKey takeaways from previous guests, including J. Carl Ganter on water security and Benjamin Qiu on tariffs and geopoliticsA thoughtful dive into current trends impacting corporate venture—from the rise of "venture clienting" to AI-native investments and deep techWhat to expect in upcoming episodes, including exclusive interviews from the 2025 CVC Open Innovation Summit hosted in FebruaryWhether you're a corporate venture leader, innovation strategist, policymaker, or investor—this episode sets the stage for the journey ahead.🎧 Listen in and connect with us at u-path.com or on your favorite podcast platform.Support the showCatch up on all episodes of Inside CVC at www.u-path.com/podcast.

In this timely and globally focused episode of Inside CVC, we sit down with Benjamin Qiu, an American lawyer and cross-border investment expert, to unpack the escalating trade tensions between the U.S. and China—and what they mean for corporate venture capital, startups, and innovation worldwide.Benjamin brings a unique perspective shaped by decades of experience in Silicon Valley and China, and currently joins us from Tokyo. We explore the ripple effects of rising tariffs, the future of globalization, and how companies should be rethinking supply chains, data access, and international deal flow.Whether you're a CVC leader, startup founder, or strategist navigating global markets, this conversation offers sharp insight into one of the most urgent business issues of our time.Topics include:China’s evolving trade posture and industrial confidenceHow Asian corporates are responding to tariff volatilityRisks to cross-border data, innovation, and venture investingWhat CVCs should prioritize right now—from cash preservation to global diversificationSupport the showCatch up on all episodes of Inside CVC at www.u-path.com/podcast.

 J. Carl Ganter, founder of Circle of Blue, joins Inside CVC by u-path to explore water scarcity as a rising threat to corporate employees, supply chains, operations, and customers. With a journalist’s eye and an innovator’s urgency, the advisor to the World Economic Forum and global business leaders explains why this issue demands board-level attention — and the vital role CVCs can play in accelerating solutions. Support the showCatch up on all episodes of Inside CVC at www.u-path.com/podcast.