Join Jeppe Høier, an experienced venture investor and podcast host, as he speaks with Francesco Di Lorenzo, an expert in entrepreneurial strategy. They explore Jeppe's transition from auditor to venture capitalist and dive into the nuances of corporate venturing. A fascinating organ transplant analogy highlights the challenges CVCs face within corporate structures. They discuss building a collaborative ecosystem across Europe and the importance of visionary leadership and long-term commitment in fostering innovation.
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insights INSIGHT
Corporate Innovation as Organ Transplant
Corporate innovation often fails due to internal resistance, likened to an organ transplant facing rejection by the body's immune system.
Persistent strategic alignment and careful nurturing are essential for corporate ventures to survive inside organizations.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Jeppe's Venture Capital Journey
Jeppe transitioned from auditing at PwC to CFO at Heartcore Capital, gaining deep venture capital experience.
Later, he helped build Maersk's corporate venture arm, emphasizing alignment of innovation and strategy.
insights INSIGHT
CVC Needs Constant Executive Support
Corporate venturing is like transplanting a liver requiring continuous support to avoid rejection by organizational culture.
Executive communication and alignment maintain the survival of innovation initiatives in corporates.
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Welcome to a new episode of the EUVC Podcast, where we bring you the people and perspectives shaping European venture.
This time, we flip the mic: Jeppe Høier, normally the host, steps into the hot seat in a conversation with Francesco Di Lorenzo, Associate Professor of Strategy and Entrepreneurship at CBS and an expert on entrepreneurial and innovation strategy.
In this episode, you’ll get the full backstory on Jeppe—from PwC to CFO at a pan-European fund, Heartcore Capital, to building Maersk’s CVC arm, and now shaping Europe’s corporate VC landscape through the EU CVC podcast, newsletter, and summit.
They dive deep into how corporate venture works (and fails), why the immune system metaphor holds true, and what’s needed to build an ecosystem across Europe that actually delivers.
🎯 This Podcast’s Themes:
From finance to strategy: Jeppe’s journey into venture
Why CVC is more organ transplant than M&A
How to survive 3 CEOs—and why you must
Fund of funds vs. direct investing: what’s trending in corporate venture
Building Europe’s corporate VC community: podcast, masterclasses, summits
Here’s what’s covered:
00:00 | From Interviews to the Interviewee: Jeppe in the spotlight
02:00 | Auditor Turned VC: From PwC to CFO of a pan-European fund
04:30 | The Maersk Years: Strategy, innovation, and the “immune system”
07:00 | Organ Transplant Theory: Why CVCs often get rejected
10:00 | Newsletter to Podcast: Building the EU CVC platform
12:00 | The European Vision: A fragmented but collaborative ecosystem
14:00 | Strategic vs Financial Tension: Why most corporates are confused
16:00 | Global Case Studies: TDK Ventures, Woven Capital, Maersk Growth
21:00 | The Pivot Playbook: Survive, evolve, stay relevant
23:30 | How to Do CVC Right: From metrics to mindset
25:00 | Fund of Funds 101: What corporates need to know
27:00 | Advice to MBAs: Learn the craft, love the long game
Watch it here or add it to your episodes on Apple or Spotify 🎧. Chapters for easy navigation are available on the Spotify/Apple episode.
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