Robotics 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 cover Real...
Sep 15, 2025
52 min
In 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 ...
Sep 1, 2025
37 min
Vietnam 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 Enterpri...
Aug 18, 2025
37 min
In 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 s...
Aug 4, 2025
45 min
Futurist 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 con...
Jul 21, 2025
44 min
Enterprise 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 ...
Jul 7, 2025
44 min
In 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 C...
Jun 23, 2025
41 min
In 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 ahe...
Jun 8, 2025
13 min
In 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 inno...
May 27, 2025
36 min
In 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...
May 20, 2025
37 min
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