Shows
Inside CVC by u-pathInside CVC: Orchestrating Connection: Why Trust, Gratitude, and Community Drive Better CVC & M&A DecisionsIn 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...
2026-02-0930 minInside CVC by u-pathInside CVC: Berlin CVC Open Innovation Summit, Part 1: Capital, Policy, and RiskIn 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...
2025-12-2924 minInside CVC by u-pathInside CVC: Why Europe Fell Behind in Autonomy. And How It Can Catch Up with Christian SchumacherEurope 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 “progres...
2025-12-1519 minInside CVC by u-pathInside CVC: Trust as Currency. Congruency as Strategy. A Conversation with SGNL’s Jen RandleIn 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...
2025-12-0819 minInside CVC by u-pathInside CVC: The Playbook Problem: Yaron Flint on Fixing Innovation From the InsideInnovation 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 vent...
2025-11-1733 minInside CVC by u-pathInside CVC: Resilience Over Sovereignty: Philipp Mueller on Europe’s Strategy for a Disrupted WorldIn 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...
2025-11-1029 minInside CVC by u-pathInside CVC: The 16% Problem: Andy Binns on Why Corporations Struggle to Scale InnovationIn 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 tak...
2025-11-0330 minInside CVC by u-pathInside CVC: Defending Europe’s Miracle: Gerald Knaus on the Future of Peace, Prosperity, and DemocracyIn 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 com...
2025-10-2734 minInside CVC by u-pathInside CVC: Disability as an Innovation Superpower: Pete Horsley on Building Remarkable FuturesDisability 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 corpor...
2025-10-2044 minInside CVC by u-pathInside CVC: Gina Kline: Redefining Disability as InnovationWhat 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 landma...
2025-10-1340 minInside CVC by u-pathInside CVC: Leading with Equity: Howard Ross on the Future of DEI, Bias, and Business ValueIn 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...
2025-10-061h 07Inside CVC by u-pathInside CVC: Building Eurostack: Martin Hullin on Europe’s Digital Sovereignty and the Future of InnovationEurope 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...
2025-09-2941 minInside CVC by u-pathInside CVC: Signal vs. Noise: MIT’s Jason Jay on the Four Lenses for Board-Level SustainabilityAs 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 Po...
2025-09-2239 minInside CVC by u-pathInside CVC: Robotics That Work: How to Pilot, Prove, and Scale with Sam AbidiRobotics 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...
2025-09-1551 minInside CVC by u-pathInside CVC: Resilient by Design: Why Intrapreneurs Win in Efficiency-Obsessed Times with Kaihan KrippendorffIn 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 them...
2025-09-0135 minInside CVC by u-pathInside CVC: Navigating Vietnam’s Startup Boom: Culture, Capital, and Cross-Border Collaboration with Cuong DangVietnam 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 inte...
2025-08-1836 minInside CVC by u-pathInside CVC: From Uncertainty to Impact: How SK Group is Scaling Innovation Across Borders with Hee S. JungIn 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...
2025-08-0443 minInside CVC by u-pathInside CVC: AI, Uncertainty, and the Future of Work: A Conversation with Peter Schwartz & Richard SocherFuturist 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...
2025-07-2143 minInside CVC by u-pathInside CVC: AI Operating Systems, Digital Labor & the End of Pilot Purgatory with Alec CoughlinEnterprise 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 episod...
2025-07-0742 minInside CVC by u-pathInside CVC: Scenario Thinking in the Age of AI: Jonathan Brill on Preparing for DisruptionIn 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 f...
2025-06-2339 minInside CVC by u-pathInside CVC: Riding the Shifting Currents of Mobility Innovation with Maniv's Michael GranoffIn 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 co...
2025-06-0813 minInside CVC by u-pathInside CVC: Inside Capital’s New Playbook: A Conversation with Bank of America’s Shawn HoyerIn 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 ba...
2025-05-2835 minInside CVC by u-pathInside CVC: Scaling Innovation from the Inside Out: Day 2 Insights from the CVC Open Innovation SummitIn 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 Be...
2025-05-2035 minInside CVC by u-pathInside CVC: From Spark to Summit: Inside Day 1 of the 2025 CVC Open Innovation SummitIn 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 Borg...
2025-05-1133 minInside CVC by u-pathInside CVC: An Inside Look at Inside CVC - Innovation, Ecosystems, and the Road AheadWelcome 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...
2025-04-2231 minInside CVC by u-pathInside CVC: Tariffs, Trade Wars, and Cross-Border Strategy with Benjamin QiuIn 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....
2025-04-1431 minInside CVC by u-pathInside CVC: The Water Reckoning: Why Corporations Can’t Ignore the Crisis Anymore with J. Carl Ganter 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.
2025-04-0337 min