Episode Breakdown

• Simon Ratcliffe’s journey: from mechanical engineer to DNV’s Venture Building Director
• Early lessons in digital product failure and the importance of customer discovery
• The evolution of DNV’s venture building: from internal incubator to hybrid CVC and spinout model
• Funding innovation: why traditional budgets fail and how CVC models unlock growth
• Spinout criteria: what makes a venture “worthy” and the role of market validation
• Carving out ventures: challenges in team, tech, and incentives
• Aligning incentives and attracting external investors
• The real value of autonomy and entrepreneurial talent in post-spinout growth
• DNV’s purpose-driven approach to innovation and recurring digital revenue
• Advice for corporate innovators: internal selling, experimentation, and leveraging external expertise

Featured Guests

• Simon Ratcliffe – Venture Building Director, DNV (LinkedIn)
• Elliott Parker – CEO, Alloy Partners (LinkedIn)
• Drew Beechler – VP Marketing, Alloy Partners (LinkedIn)

Referenced in the Show

• DNV: Global quality assurance and risk management company, headquartered in Norway
• DNV Ventures: Corporate venture arm focused on strategic investments and venture building

Resources & Related Links

• Alloy Partners
• Previous Advantaged episodes

Advantaged: An Alloy Partners Podcast