Success Factors in Corporate Venturing

Corporate Venturing Units: Driving Innovation for Competitive Edge

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Corporate Venturing Units (CVUs) enable corporations to stay competitive by blending their core strengths with the exploration of new business opportunities. Operating independently, CVUs overcome traditional organizational barriers to fuel innovation and growth.

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Our benchmarking study, initiated in 2023, was conducted with seven leading corporations across diverse industries and included insights from over 60 corporate venturing units. By combining robust quantitative data with real-world successes, it delivers actionable recommendations for building and scaling effective CVUs.

Key Recommendations for Success

1. Define Purpose and Architecture Early – Set clear goals, processes, and performance metrics.
2. Match Capabilities with Innovation Approach – Start with quick wins like Venture Clienting for less mature CVUs.
3. Tailor Processes to Innovation Horizon – Use stage-gate for incremental innovations; push processes for transformative projects.
4. Build the Right Skills – Focus on entrepreneurial expertise for venture building and startup evaluation for partnering.
5. Leverage Networks and Power Structures – Strong leadership support accelerates success.
6. Separate Disruptive Innovations – Dedicate resources to avoid deprioritization.
7. Show Tangible Benefits – Develop convincing prototypes and storytelling to gain buy-in.
8. Continuously Adapt – Optimize based on results and external changes.

As innovation cycles accelerate, strategic investment prioritization is crucial. Corporate Venturing—whether through venture building, partnerships, or investments—offers a proven pathway to drive growth beyond the core business.

Discover the full insights from our study, including key success factors for thriving in this dynamic landscape.