Unlocking Corporate Venture Capital

500 Startups recently announced the results of the largest corporate venture capital survey of its kind to date.

Based on insights from more than 100 unique CVC units worldwide, we're unveiling our findings and helping corporations, startups, and others understand the challenges and opportunities within the space.

Today, we’re excited to share the story behind that transformation.

Download the report

How quick are you learning?

Time matters to CVC units, with ~40% of our respondents having mandates of ≤5 years, or half of a typical VC fund. New firms should find the right partner to share their expertise, network, and best practices in venture investment and deal flow. This can be particularly valuable in the first year of operation before flying solo.

Hunting vs. exploring

Instead of prescribing a one-size-fits-all approach, we identified two particularly successful profiles of CVC personas navigating the startup ecosystem: The “Hunter” persona who operates as a financially-driven investor with an entrepreneurial culture, and the “Explorer” who is more strategically-focused and embraces a more corporate culture.

Financial or strategic?

This is a key principle to establishing a CVC unit.  55% of our respondents say they are strategically inclined, versus 28% who claim to be financially motivated. After this is decided, all other aspects can be optimized (organizational structure, incentive scheme, investment thesis).

ALL CONTENT PROVIDED IN THE REPORT AND ON THIS PAGE IS PROVIDED FOR GENERAL INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. WHILE 500 STARTUPS HAS TAKEN REASONABLE STEPS TO ENSURE THAT THE INFORMATION CONTAINED THEREIN IS ACCURATE AND UP-TO-DATE, 500 STARTUPS MAKES NO REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES OF ANY NATURE AS TO THE ACCURACY OF SUCH INFORMATION AND NO LIABILITY CAN BE ACCEPTED FOR ANY ERROR OR OMISSIONS. UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED IN THE REPORT, ANY PREDICTIONS, FORECASTS, CONCLUSIONS, VIEWS OR OPINIONS EXPRESSED REPRESENT THE CURRENT VIEW AND THINKING OF 500 STARTUPS WITH REGARD TO THE SUBJECT MATTER THEREIN BASED ON INTERNAL DATA AND/OR ANALYSIS WHICH HAS NOT BEEN INDEPENDENTLY VERIFIED. 500 STARTUPS DOES NOT GUARANTEE ANY FUTURE RESULTS FOR ANY DECISIONS MADE BASED IN WHOLE OR IN PART ON THE CONTENT OR INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THE REPORT OR THIS PAGE. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHOULD ANY INFORMATION OR CONTENT PROVIDED IN THE REPORT BE CONSTRUED AS INVESTMENT, LEGAL, TAX OR ACCOUNTING ADVICE BY 500 STARTUPS OR ANY OF ITS AFFILIATES. ALL RECIPIENTS OF THE REPORT SHOULD CONSULT WITH THEIR OWN COUNSEL, ACCOUNTANT OR OTHER PROFESSIONAL ADVISORS BEFORE TAKING ANY ACTION IN CONNECTION WITH THE REPORT OR SURVEY.

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