Corporate Venturing Insider

In this episode of Corporate Venturing Insider, recorded on March 24, 2026 at the Global Corporate Venturing Innovation Summit in Monterey, Nicolas Sauvage sits down with Hoolie Tejwani to unpack one of the most unconventional models in venture today.With over 600 investments since 2018, Coinbase Ventures has taken a radically different approach—prioritizing speed, breadth, and ecosystem development over concentrated ownership and control. Tejwani shares how the firm scaled from a decentralized experiment into a high-velocity investment platform, why conviction matters more than consensus, and how Coinbase Ventures operates as an “API” for founders rather than a traditional lead investor.The conversation explores the tradeoffs behind investing at scale, the role of corporate venture alongside traditional VC, and how Coinbase Ventures supports founders without imposing structure too early.Tejwani also reflects on the importance of humility, continuous learning, and regularly “disrupting” internal frameworks to stay adaptive in a fast-moving market.For investors, operators, and founders alike, this episode offers a candid look at how venture models are evolving—and what it takes to build at the edge of an emerging ecosystem.

In this episode of Corporate Venturing Insider, Nicolas Sauvage speaks with Laurel Buckner, head of BHP Ventures, about what it takes to step into and lead an already established corporate venture fund. Laurel shares how she approached her first 30 days, aligned with senior leadership, and built on a high-performing team without disrupting momentum. The conversation explores BHP Ventures’ integrated model, its focus across the mining value chain, and how corporate VCs can balance strategic alignment with financial discipline. Laurel also discusses emerging opportunities in AI, critical minerals, and the evolving role of corporate venture capital in today’s innovation ecosystem.Interviewed February 11, 2026

In this episode of Corporate Venturing Insider, Nicolas Sauvage speaks with Mirella Lisboa, Head of AgroStart LatAm at BASF, about how large corporations can turn startup collaboration into real business impact. Mirella explains how AgroStart operates as an open innovation platform connecting BASF business units with startups tackling real agricultural challenges. She discusses how the team structures partnerships around clear problems, measurable KPIs, and disciplined proof-of-concepts to avoid “innovation theater.” The conversation also explores AgroStart’s role as a venture client and how its work feeds insights to BASF Venture Capital. The result is a practical look at how corporates can build internal capacity to respond to innovation.Interviewed February 10th, 2026

In this episode of Corporate Venturing Insider, recorded January 6, 2026, Nicolas Sauvage speaks with Francesco Di Lorenzo of Copenhagen Business School about the evolution of corporate venturing. Drawing on a decade of research, Francesco explores the shift from traditional CVC to venture clienting, examining why collaboration models are gaining traction. He challenges the hype around venture clienting, highlighting hidden OpEx costs, governance friction, and risks of short-termism. The discussion unpacks CapEx vs. OpEx, power law vs. distribution thinking, and how boards should structure venturing for long-term resilience. A thoughtful, critical look at where corporate venturing is headed next.

Interviewed January 5th, 2026In this episode, Nicolas Sauvage speaks with Patricia Kroondijk of Canon Marketing Japan about building corporate venture capability through venture clienting. They unpack Canon’s VC-as-a-Service approach, why pilots come before investments, and how Japanese corporate culture shapes decision-making. Patricia shares where the platform is heading next as it gains independence.

In this episode of Corporate Venturing Insider, Nicolas Sauvage sits down with Bill Taranto, founder of the Merck Global Health Innovation Fund and outgoing co-chair of the GCV Leadership Society. Recorded on January 6—just one day after his conversation with fellow co-chair Arvind Purushotham—the discussion offers a rare look at leadership transition inside the global CVC community. Taranto reflects on nearly four decades in corporate venturing, shares hard-earned lessons on strategy, trust, and longevity, and offers candid advice to Sauvage as he assumes the GCV chairmanship. A thoughtful conversation on stewardship, community, and building institutions that endure.Interviewed January 6th, 2026

As Nicolas Sauvage steps into the role of co-chair of the GCV Leadership Society, he sits down with outgoing co-chair Arvind Purushotham of Citi Ventures to reflect on how corporate venturing has matured over the past 15 years. Together, they explore what it takes to build durable CVC programs—covering strategic impact, incentives, governance, and the importance of patience in a long-term venture model.Interviewed January 5th, 2026

Interviewed October 18, 2025In this episode of Corporate Venturing Insider, Nicolas Sauvage sits down with Jody Thelander, founder and CEO of J. Thelander Consulting, to unpack how compensation shapes autonomy, retention, and performance in corporate venture capital. Together they explore the delicate balance between VC-style incentives and corporate governance. Listeners will learn how to design compensation models that align mission, motivate teams, and earn the mothership’s trust.

Interviewed October 6, 2025In this episode of Corporate Venturing Insider, Nicolas Sauvage sits down with Annie Goman, Managing Director of Btomorrow Ventures, to explore how BAT’s venture arm is redefining corporate innovation. Goman shares how she led a strategic reset of Fund II, emphasizing “high alignment and high autonomy” to guide BAT’s transformation beyond nicotine. She also shares her scout bee analogy—describing how Btomorrow Ventures is charting the path to the company’s next hive of growth.

Interviewed September 25, 2025In Episode #113 of Corporate Venturing Insider, Nicolas Sauvage speaks with Alexandra Renner, Program Manager at BMW Startup Garage, the world’s first venture client unit. Alexandra shares her journey from co-founding an augmented reality startup to shaping how BMW collaborates with hundreds of business units and pilots startup technologies at scale. She discusses the evolution of venture clienting, from early challenges to today’s best practices in scouting, piloting, and building lasting partnerships. Alexandra also explains how BMW balances startup speed with corporate rigor, the importance of internal communications, and why starting “big enough” is essential for success. This episode offers practical lessons for corporates, entrepreneurs, and anyone curious about how startups and industry giants can innovate together.

Interviewed August 15th, 2025In this episode of Corporate Venturing Insider #112, Nicolas Sauvage speaks with Valery Yakubovich from Wharton’s Mack Institute about his latest report on corporate venturing. Valery explains how CVC has evolved from “David vs. Goliath” disruption toward symbiotic partnerships, where corporations and startups co-create value. The conversation unpacks six core corporate objectives—from risk management to ecosystem building—and explores emerging practices like venture clienting, venture building, and even AI-enabled startups.

Interviewed August 14, 2025Nicolas Sauvage interviews Tammi Smorynski—24-year Intel Capital veteran and now GCV Institute instructor—on her winding path from J.P. Morgan to venture and why great CVCs must balance strategic impact with financial discipline. She shares boardroom best practices (say the hard thing first, observers can be powerful, use her eight-slide handover pack) and lessons from Intel Capital’s leaders summed up by Les Vadasz’s mantra: “steady as she goes.” Smorynski compares past downturns to today’s uncertainty, offers guarded optimism for deep-tech hardware, and urges aspiring CVCs to find mentors, treat failures as tuition, and prepare rigorously.

On July 21st, 2025, Corporate Venturing Insider welcomed Mike Smeed, Managing Director of InMotion Ventures, the CVC arm of Jaguar Land Rover. In conversation with Nicolas Sauvage, President of TDK Ventures, Mike shared how InMotion balances strategic alignment with entrepreneurial agility through its evergreen structure, fast decision-making, and clear corporate engagement. The episode explores the central question guiding his journey: what kind of investor do you want to be?

Tune into our conversation with Matt Rhodes-Kropf, Managing Partner at Tectonic Ventures and Professor at MIT Sloan School of Management.Interviewed on March 28th, 2025

Interviewed May 5th, 2025In Episode 108 of Corporate Venturing Insider, Nicolas Sauvage sits down with Temple Fennell, cofounder and managing partner at Clean Energy Ventures. Temple shares his journey from systems engineer to climate-focused investor, offering insights into launching the CREO Syndicate and building Clean Energy Ventures. He breaks down his investment framework—like boundary rules and watch mode—and reflects on the evolving role of CVCs in climate tech. This episode is packed with strategic lessons for investors, founders, and innovation leaders.

Tune into our conversation with Angela Lee, Professor of Professional Practice at Columbia Business School.Interviewed on April 15th, 2025In this episode of Corporate Venturing Insider, Nicolas Sauvage sits down with Angela Lee, founder of 37 Angels and professor at Columbia Business School, to unpack her unconventional path from founder to investor and educator. Angela shares how she built 37 Angels to close both the knowledge and diversity gaps in angel investing, while offering frameworks for diligence, decision-making, and founder evaluation. The conversation also explores the evolving role of corporate venture capital, including its strategic potential, pitfalls like rights of first refusal, and practical advice on how CVCs can truly support startups.

Tune into our conversation with Gustavo Schwed, Professor of Finance and Professor of Management Practice at NYU Stern School of Business.Interviewed on March 4th, 2025https://cv-insider.com/

Join Bonny Simi, President of Operations at Joby Aviation and former founder of JetBlue Ventures to discuss her corporate venturing career. Interviewed March 19th, 2025 at GCVI 2025 Summit in Monterey, CA. Hosted by Nicolas SauvageFind the Full Episode here: https://cv-insider.com/

In this episode of Corporate Venturing Insider, Steve Westly—Founder and Managing Partner of The Westly Group, and former Controller and Chief Fiscal Officer of the State of California—joins Nicolas Sauvage for a wide-ranging conversation on investing, innovation, and leadership.Recorded live at GCV Monterey on March 20, 2025, Steve shares hard-earned lessons from his journey through public service, IPOs, and nearly two decades of venture investing. From early bets on Tesla and Luminar to his views on AI, cost curves, and the role of corporate LPs, Steve offers actionable advice for fund managers, founders, and corporate leaders alike. Listen here!Interviewed March 20, 2025

Interviewed on March 19th, 2025Megann Vaughn Watters shares her journey from biomedical engineering to one of healthcare's most strategic corporate venture funds at LabCorp. She and Nicolas Sauvage discuss lessons in sourcing innovation, managing a fund of funds, partnering with startups, managing a growing portfolio, and scaling strategic value across the enterprise.

Tune into our conversation with Joseph LiPuma, Associate Professor In Global Business, Strategy And Innovation at the Boston Questrom School of Business.Interviewed on March 6th, 2025

Tune into our conversation with Steven Kaplan, Professor of Entrepreneurship at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.Interviewed on March 3rd, 2025

Tune into our conversation with Jeffrey Bussgang, General Partner and Co-Founder, Flybridge Capital Partners; Senior Lecturer, Harvard Business School, Author of the new book The Experimentation Machine.Interviewed on February 6th, 2025

Tune into our conversation with Victoria Slivkoff, Executive Managing Director of Extreme Tech Challenge (XTC) and later the Head of Ecosystem at Walden Catalyst, Interviewed on February 28th, 2025

Tune into our conversation with Thomas Hellmann, Professor at the University of Oxford's Saïd Business School.You can also read his case study from Stanford on Apple's CVC in the 80's or read the article on the interview here.Interviewed on January 14th, 2025

Tune into our conversation with Lisa Hehenberger, Associate Professor and Director a of the Esade Center for Social Impact.Interviewed on January 16th, 2025

Tune into our conversation with Colin McLeod, Professor and Executive Director of the Melbourne Entrepreneurial Centre at The University of MelbourneInterviewed on January 15th, 2025

Tune into our conversation with Hélène Loncin, Head of Venture Capital at GTT Strategic Ventures.Interviewed on December 13th, 2024

Tune into our conversation with Ilya Strebulaev, the The David S. Lobel Professor of Private Equity at the Stanford University Graduate School of Business and author of "The Venture Mindset", a bestselling book on corporate innovation.Interviewed on October 29th, 2024

Tune into our conversation with Diane Frachon, Director New Energy UK & Corporate Ventures for SLB.Interviewed on November 29th, 2024

Tune into our conversation with Alejandro Solé, CIO of TechEnergy Ventures.Interviewed on November 4th, 2024

Tune into our conversation with Sophie Dingreville, Global Product Partnerships & Innovation Director of bp pulse.Interviewed on October 28th, 2024

Tune into our conversation with Dr. Dennis Charlebois, Professor of entrepreneurship at the Santa Clara University Leavey School of Business.Interviewed on October 18th, 2024

Tune into our conversation with Galina Ozgur, Vice President of Platform for H/L Ventures.Interviewed on September 30th, 2024

Tune into our conversation with Archana Srivatsan, Head of Investment for South & South-East Asia for the Gates Foundation Strategic Investment Fund (SIF).Interviewed on September 12th, 2024

Tune into our conversation with Swati Dasgupta, former Director at National Grid PartnersInterviewed on July 15th, 2024

Tune into our conversation with Sakura Holloway, Investment Director at Future Planet CapitalInterviewed on June 18, 2024

Tune into our conversation with Conrad Burke, Managing Partner of MetaVCInterviewed on April 29, 2024

Tune into our conversation with Rohini Chakravarthy, Managing Partner at NewBuild Venture CapitalInterviewed on April 23, 2024

Listen to James Mawson of GCV, Bedy Yang of 500 Global, Claudia Fan Munce of NEA, Nicolas Sauvage of TDK Ventures, and Phoebe Wang of Amazon's Climate Pledge Fund during this special episode hosted by Alastair Goldfisher, former editor of the Venture Capital journal for Reuters.Hosted on June 3, 2024

Tune into our conversation with David Lee, Executive Vice President at Samsung Next Interviewed on April 11, 2024

Tune into our conversation with Jennifer Webb, Investment Director at Swisscom Ventures Interviewed on March 14, 2024

Tune into our conversation with Jenna Kurath, Vice President at Comcast NBCU SportsTech Interviewed on March 14, 2024

Tune into our conversation with Arvind Purushotham, Head of Ventures at Citi Ventures Interviewed on March 13, 2024

Tune into our conversation with Erin VanLanduit, Head of Corporate Ventures at Cargill Ventures Interviewed on March 13, 2024

Tune into our conversation with Talia Abramowitz, Managing Partner at Deloitte Canada Interviewed on February 22, 2024

Tune into our conversation with Sarit Soccary, Managing Partner at Delek US Holdings Interviewed on January 04, 2024

Tune into our conversation with Crispin Leick, Managing Director at EnBW New Ventures GmbHInterviewed on December 21, 2023

Tune into our conversation with Nicole LeBlanc, Partner at Woven Capital Interviewed on November 14, 2023

Tune into our conversation with Julia Prats & Josemaria Siota, Professor & Executive Director at IESE Business School Interviewed on November 03, 2023