Agenda
June 24 | Pre-Conference
14:30
Networking Activities
Connect with your fellow delegates ahead of two days of insightful content by participating in one of three unique networking opportunities taking place in the afternoon of 24 June. The three activities include:
Historic Walking Food Tour
Take advantage of an intimate networking opportunity by joining a historic walking food tour of London. Follow a dynamic guide on a unique route through the East End and get a taste of traditional British produce.
Speed Boat Sightseeing Tour
Meet event attendees in a unique way as you take part in a whistle-stop tour of London’s iconic landmarks, hitting high speeds of 30 knots in a thrilling boat journey down the River Thames. The tour starts at the iconic London Eye Pier and passes famous sights such as Tower Bridge.
London Eye Networking Pod (starting at 15:00)
Network with CVCs, VC and innovation drivers in a private pod on the famous London Eye. Experience 360-degree views of London and get a special view of London’s iconic landmarks including the House of Parliament and Buckingham Palace.
18:30
GCV Powerlist Reception hosted in partnership with Dentons (By-Invitation)
Co-hosted in partnership with Dentons, come and celebrate the best CVC units and leaders at our GCV Powerlist cocktail reception and dinner. where you can elevate your professional network by interacting with the top 1% of the industry.
June 25 | Day One
Programme Overview
10:00 - 15:20
Main Stage Programme
Gain access to the most valuable insights on corporation innovation, corporate venturing, venture capital, and the wider innovation ecosystem.
08:30 - 17:00
1-to-1 Meeting Zone
Use our in-event app, Brella, to schedule meetings with attendees you want to connect with throughout the entire event.
15:40 - 17:40
Breakout Sessions
Curate your own agenda by joining one of the GCV Sector Council roundtables or technically-led workshops hosted by the GCV Institute or one of our event partners
08:30 - 10:00
Women in Venture
An exciting, invite-only programme for women in venture to network and share experiences, successes and challenges in the venture ecosystem.
08:30 - 17:00
Portfolio Exhibition
Hosted by the GCV Leadership Society and SETsquared, make sure you interact with disruptive startups that have been backed by top corporate investors.
08:00
Registration & Arrivals
Badges can be collected from the registration desk which opens at 08:00.
08:30
Portfolio Exhibition & Welcome Networking
Grab a hot drink and connect with fellow delegates as you network and explore the welcome reception and exhibition area, where selected corporate-backed startups are ready to show you their innovations.
10:00
Welcome remarks from GCV: The state of venture and innovation
Time to take your seat as James Mawson, CEO and Founder, and Maija Palmer, Editor, of GCV, take the stage to set the scene for the coming few days and what we should be exploring in the world of venture and innovation.
James Mawson, CEO and Founder, Global Corporate Venturing
Maija Palmer, Editor, Global Corporate Venturing
10:15
Domestic corporate investment must increase: A statement from the UK Government
Only 14% of corporate-backed rounds in the UK come from solely domestic corporations. This is a far cry from the US where 43% of corporate-backed rounds are US companies investing in US startups. The government wants to change this but how?
Lord Dominic Johnson, UK Minister of State in the Department for Business and Trade
10:30
Succeed or struggle: Why an effective partnership between the C-suite and the CVC is vital
Creating a supportive and collaborative relationship between the parent corporation and the venture unit can often be the single biggest difference between the success and struggle of a CVC unit. In this session, we explore this dilemma and look at how best a CVC can work with executive management.
11:00
How can venture help nations double their GDP growth rates in the next decade?
Collaboration, adaptability, and strategy can push the UK and other OECD countries to achieve the ambitious goal of doubling their GDP rates in the next decade however with a goal this complex and long-term, the question is what does it take to convene, train, and encourage CVC, and wider venture collaboration to be a more active part of the ecosystem.
11:20
CVC internal innovation - what more can be done to enhance a unit’s efficiency?
Operating models, management processes, partnerships with wider business development, R&D and commercial teams - all are factors that contribute to the efficiency and effectiveness of a CVC unit. So what are the best strategies to take and what pitfalls need to be avoided?
Mitchell Yun, General Manager & Head of Office, Hyundai Mobis Ventures
James Orchard, CEO, QBE Ventures
Sean Porta, Senior Director, M&A & Corporate Ventures, Adidas
11:50
Harnessing corporate experience to shape the future of fusion power – the Tokamak Energy story
Bringing vast experience and insight from their previous corporate roles as Chief Executive Officer and Chief Procurement Officer of Rolls Royce plc respectively, Warren East and Warrick Matthews sit down with GCV Editor, Maija Palmer, to showcase the vision they have for making clean energy-inspired startup, Tokamak Energy, the next ‘‘Arm of the fusion industry’’.
Warrick Matthews, CEO, Tokamak Energy
Warren East, Board Member, Tokamak Energy; former CEO of Rolls-Royce plc
Moderator: Maija Palmer, Editor, Global Corporate Venturing
12:20 Networking Lunch
13:50
The art of portfolio management – how to land even more value
Corporate venturing can be a nervous game. Never really knowing the longevity of the fund or the backing from the corporate executive team, it’s a constant challenge to prove the unit’s worth in an organisation with hundreds of moving parts. So, in unstable economic conditions, how can CVC step up and create a foundation of longevity and resilience that funnels value - both strategic and financial - back into the corporate office? Our GCV Institute experts take the stage to give you their top tips.
Samantha Santaniello, Head of Platform, MassMutual Ventures
Kaz Hadano, CEO, Sony Ventures
14:10
Why long-term alignment with corporate investors should supersede traditional venturing
This keynote sees renowned British technologist and businessman, Ilyas Khan, join us on stage to share his experience and argument for why aligning yourself with corporate capital is the best for bringing long-term strategic value to your portfolio, with a focus on the UK and European markets.
Ilyas Khan, Founder & CEO, Cambridge Quantum; Chief Product Officer, Quantinuum
14:30
Taking new approaches to corporate innovation strategies – a case study with National Grid Partners
Gerard Kelly, Vice President of Innovation and Venture Acceleration, National Grid Partners
14:50
How CVCs can have a greater impact on early-stage portfolios
Do enough corporates consider early-stage investments and if not, why should they consider them more? InMotion Ventures - the CVC arm of Jaguar Land Rover - have made several pre-seed investments recently and are looking to do more due to the greater impact, they believe, they can have on less mature businesses. Alongside InMotion Ventures, we sit down with two of their early-stage founders to discuss why corporate capital was the right choice for their businesses.
Mike Smeed, Managing Director, InMotion Ventures
Stephanie Downs, CEO & Co-Founder, Uncaged Innovations
Leonid Feinberg, Co-Founder & CEO, Verax AI
Tomi Rantakari, CCO, ChipFlow
15:20 Networking Break
15:40
Breakout Sessions
An audience favourite of the GCV Symposium, our breakout sessions allow you to curate your own agenda across a variety of specific topics. From the ever-growing GCV Sector Council roundtables to technically-led workshops hosted by the GCV Institute or one of our event partners, this is your opportunity to become a speaker and actively participate in the discussion.
15:40 – 16:40
Workshop
The art of venture building
16:40 – 17:40
Roundtable
GCV Sector Council
15:40 – 16:40
Roundtable
Growing CVC in the UK
16:40 – 17:40
Roundtable
GCV Sector Council
15:40 – 16:40
Workshop
GCV Institute & Shell
16:40 – 17:40
Roundtable
GCV Sector Council
15:40 – 16:40
Roundtable
bp Ventures showcase
16:40 – 17:40
Roundtable
GCV Sector Council
18:30 GCV Symposium Summer Celebration at the 12th Knot
June 26 | Day Two
Programme Overview
09:15-17:00
Main Stage
Gain access to the most valuable insights on corporation innovation, corporate venturing, venture capital, and the wider innovation ecosystem.
08:30 – 17:00
1-to-1 Meeting Zone
Use our event app, Brella, to schedule meetings with attendees you want to connect with and take advantage of AI-powered matchmaking suggestions.
11:20 – 13:20
Breakout Sessions
Curate your own agenda by joining one of the GCV Sector Council roundtables or technically-led workshops hosted by the GCV Institute or one of our event partners.
08:30 – 17:00
Portfolio Exhibition
Hosted by the GCV Leadership Society and SETsquared, make sure you interact with numerous disruptive startups that have been backed by top corporate investors.
08:30
Registration & Arrivals
Badges can be collected from the registration desk from 08:30.
08:30
Portfolio Exhibition & Welcome Networking
Grab a hot drink and pastry and connect with fellow delegates as you network and explore the welcome reception and exhibition area, where selected corporate-backed startups are ready to show you their innovations.
09:30
Welcome back from GCV editorial
The GCV Editorial team take the stage to highlight 2024’s biggest trends for venture and innovation, and some of the new ways that they’ll be delivering the news you need.
Maija Palmer, Editor, Global Corporate Venturing
09:40
How can CVCs help pension funds allocate more money to venture and innovation
In light of the Mansion House initiative announced by the UK Treasury last summer to unlock up to £50bn of investment in start-ups and fast-growing companies by 2030, this session explores the supporting role that CVCs can play in making this a success for all.
10:10
Future-proofing venture in a new world continually dominated by AI – how should investors evolve?
The world of venture and startups has always been a dynamic one, continually impacted by the evolution of technology and sociology. But, its next stage of evolution - powered by AI - feels set to be the biggest shift yet, and the biggest shift in what role the ‘‘investor’’ should play. This panel explores how AI is requiring VCs to move more from direct financiers to strategic facilitators, and importantly, what can be learnt from CVCs who by nature, have always had to prioritise the delivery of strategic value.
10:40 Networking Coffee Break
11:10
Breakout Sessions
An audience favourite of the GCV Symposium, our breakout sessions allow you to curate your own agenda across a variety of specific topics. From the ever-growing GCV Sector Council roundtables to technically-led workshops hosted by the GCV Institute or one of our event partners, this is your opportunity to become a speaker and actively participate in the discussion.
11:10 – 12:10
Workshop
GCV Institute
Resilience and impact: The art of managing expectations from internal and external stakeholders
12:10 – 13:10
Roundtable
GCV Sector Council
11:10 – 12:10
Roundtable
Models for success in multi-LP corporate funds
12:10 – 13:10
Roundtable
GCV Sector Council
11:10 – 12:10
Roundtable
GCV Sector Council
12:10 – 13:10
Roundtable
GCV Sector Council
11:10 – 12:10
Roundtable
GCV Sector Council
12:10 – 13:10
Roundtable
GCV Sector Council
13:10 Networking Lunch
14:30
India spotlight - Are Western funds taking new opportunities seriously enough?
In the first quarter of 2023, India had the second highest amount of venture capital funding out of any country, and as the size of its tech startup ecosystem - notably e-commerce - gets ever closer to the top spot, multi-national corporates need to ask themselves ‘‘are they doing enough in the region?’’. While we have seen more corporates set up teams in the country, many Indian-based VCs believe that there is only a small window left before too much of their funding comes from domestic sources, thus minimising the need for overseas investment. This panel looks to answer that question.
Archana Srivatsan, Head of South Asia VC, Gates Foundation Strategic Investment Fund
Vishesh Rajaram, Managing Partner, Speciale Invest
15:00
Rescuing the narrative – how can ventures bring climate back into the spotlight?
15:20
The AI revolution in venture investing – who, or what, is making the decisions?
Data-driven algorithmic decision-making has been present in public market trades for over 20 years now, but today they account for over 70% of decisions made - a percentage that represents an AUM of over one trillion dollars. Now, in the world of venture capital, the AI and big data revolutions are creating a similar shift in how VC investments are reviewed and accepted. There are numerous benefits to be had but also trade-offs to consider. This panel explores the implications for both VC and CV
15:40 Networking Break
16:00
A spotlight on generative AI – will it transform the way investors find deals?
The new tech on the block, generative AI, is causing waves among investors who are looking for an edge when sourcing the best new deals in highly competitive markets. But, how do you classify startups using this technology and will it live up to its hype? We sit down with a group of investors to find out the extent to which this tech will be used to find the best investments but also how it could fundamentally shift the make-up of a venture unit, from the expertise it needs to hire to the way it activates investments.
16:30
The art of venture building as a new muscle of corporate innovation
Venture building is a difficult task to execute effectively, yet its growing popularity as a tool to innovate is hard to ignore, and placed alongside an already successful CVC unit, it can add give corporates a real edge. We look at the pitfalls to avoid, the models that have shown the most success and how to practically start building ventures in your organisation.
17:10
Closing remarks
Closing remarks from Global Corporate Venturing.
17:10 Networking Drinks
18:30 End of GCV Symposium