Out of over 2,000 investment corporations spread across the globe, only the top 100 leaders have the honor of being recognized on Global Corporate Venturing’s (GCV) annual Powerlist. Of the 100 heads of corporate venturing units, a further Top 25 receive additional recognition, denoting them as leaders in the field head and shoulders above their peers.
GCV’s Editor-in-Chief, James Mawson, said that the Powerlist is, “the global pinnacle in corporate venturing, both in thought leadership and deal-making acumen. Each member of this list leads a corporate venture arm at the forefront of institutional venture innovation.”
Selection for the Powerlist involves a series of metrics, as well as a careful eye on other measures like motivational abilities, thought-leadership, and overall vision. In particular, GCV looks out for recent promotions and team expansions; development with portfolio companies and business unit partnerships; and any examples of corporate acquisitions involving venture-backed or portfolio companies.
One woman leader included in the Top 25 is Amy Banse, managing director and head of funds at Comcast Ventures. Banse spent two decades at Comcast’s Philadelphia corporate headquarters before leaving to join its emerging corporate venturing unit in 2011. During her tenure Comcast Ventures has grown its portfolio to over 130 companies in the areas of consumer, enterprise and frontier technology. Their most recent investment focuses on the challenges emerging from the coronavirus pandemic.
Also, among the Top 25 is Kip A. Frey, Executive Vice President for New Ventures at Indianapolis-based The Heritage Group (THG). Under his leadership, HG Ventures was formed in 2018 and since has invested over $65 million in hardtech startups. Their portfolio now holds more than 20 companies, including MITO Materials, Ateios, Epogee, and many others. Prior to these accomplishments, he served as the Vice Provost for Innovation & Entrepreneurship and Professor of Law and Public Policy at Duke University.
