The Corporate Venturing Podcast

Note: We experienced a minor technical issue with the microphone during this recording, so the audio quality may not be perfect at times. Thanks for your patience—we promise the insights are worth it!

Welcome to another episode of The Corporate Venturing Podcast!

Startups are becoming an increasingly vital source of innovation for corporations—but what does it take to build successful partnerships? How can large enterprises collaborate effectively with agile startups to drive real business impact?

In this episode, I sit down with Karen Dams, Strategy and M&A Manager at Brussels Airport, and Andrew Erlick, Innovation Manager at Reckitt, to explore the art of sourcing and engaging startups. Drawing from their experience in industries as diverse as aviation and consumer goods, they share practical insights on:

• Why startups are a crucial driver of innovation and agility for corporations.

• How large companies can effectively identify and evaluate promising startups.

• The best collaboration models—venture clienting, accelerators, corporate venture capital, and beyond.

• Overcoming common challenges in startup engagement, from internal resistance to governance hurdles.

• The future of corporate-startup partnerships—what trends are shaping the next wave of innovation?

Whether you’re leading an innovation team, a startup founder looking to partner with corporates, or simply curious about the evolving world of corporate venturing, this episode offers actionable strategies to navigate the landscape successfully.

Resources:

• Open Road Ventures

• Bundl Venture Club

Don’t forget to follow, rate, and hit the bell button to stay updated on the latest episodes.

Stay curious, keep innovating, and we’ll see you next time on The Corporate Venturing Podcast!

Welcome to the second episode of The Corporate Venturing Podcast!

Corporate venturing has become a key strategy for companies looking to stay ahead in an evolving business landscape. But what makes it so impactful for growth, and how can leaders ensure their venturing efforts succeed?

In this episode, I sit down with Phil Hague, Innovation Design Director at 3M, to explore the role of corporate venturing in driving business success. Drawing from his experience leading innovation at companies like Procter & Gamble, Lenovo, and Microsoft, Phil shares practical insights on:

• Why corporate venturing matters and how companies leveraging it outperform their market peers.

• Balancing short-term ROI with long-term strategic goals—is innovation really just a cost center?

• How to measure the success of venturing initiatives, beyond financial returns.

• Creating an innovation-friendly culture and overcoming internal resistance.

• Corporate venturing vs. traditional R&D—how they can work together instead of competing for resources.

• Collaborating with startups—what makes corporate-startup partnerships successful?

• Emerging trends in corporate venturing.

Whether you’re leading a venturing team, working to build a culture of innovation, or looking for strategies to future-proof your business, this episode provides real-world insights to help you navigate corporate venturing successfully.

Resources:

• Open Road Ventures

• Bundl Venture Club

Don’t forget to follow, rate, and hit the bell button to stay updated on the latest episodes.

Stay curious, keep innovating, and we’ll see you next time on The Corporate Venturing Podcast!

Welcome to the first episode of The Corporate Venturing Podcast!

Corporate venturing is often defined as “the practice of established companies collaborating with or investing in startups to drive innovation and growth.” But what does that really mean in practice, and why has it become such a crucial strategy for companies to stay competitive in today’s fast-changing business landscape?

In this episode, I sit down with Thomas Van Halewyck, Founder and CEO of Bundl, to explore the foundations of corporate venturing. From understanding its key elements—collaboration, investment, and venture building—to unpacking why traditional R&D is no longer enough, we cover:

Whether you’re just getting started with corporate venturing or looking to take your efforts to the next level, this episode provides actionable insights to help you unlock growth, embrace innovation, and future-proof your business.

Powered by the Bundl Venture Club, this podcast series offers exclusive insights and invaluable perspectives to help you win internal support and build the ventures of tomorrow.

Resources:

Don’t forget to follow, rate, and hit the bell button to stay updated on the latest episodes.

Stay curious, keep innovating, and we’ll see you next time on The Corporate Venturing Podcast!

🎙️ Welcome to The Corporate Venturing Podcast, where we explore how established companies are transforming through Open Innovation and Corporate Venturing. I’m Davide Ritorto, your host, bringing you insights and strategies from the leaders shaping the future of corporate venturing.

Powered by ⁠Bundl Venture Club⁠, this podcast connects corporate entrepreneurs worldwide. Join us as we dive into the challenges and opportunities that drive corporate innovation.

💡 Subscribe and hit the bell to stay updated on each new episode. And for weekly insights, check out my newsletter, ⁠Open Road Ventures⁠!

Let’s push the boundaries of corporate venturing, together!