Corporate Venture Capital in Europe

Established firms operating in competitive markets are eager to acquire innovative capabilities in order to sustain profitability. Ground breaking innovation often results from the combinations of internal and external competences. Therefore incumbent firms invest in corporate venture capital (CVC) to ensure the acquisition and integration of creative capabilities. Additionally they seek to ameliorate their portfolio value and gain direct financial benefits. From a theoretical and empirical perspective this book analyses the objectives characteristics and performance of European CVC investments. First it explores investment objectives and the manner in which incumbent firms select and pursue them. Second it examines CVC firm’s decision-making processes investment characteristics obstacles and learning patterns. Third it assesses the performance of ventures as reflected by their ability to achieve set objectives. Finally it demonstrates the impact of financial versus strategic objectives on investment processes. Consequently the purpose of this book is to understand the interplay between financial and strategic CVC investments describe European corporate venture capitalists and illustrate their approach to venture investments.