Corporate Venturing ‐ Lessons from Google and Amazon, and Beyond - New

February 23, 2023 | 10:00 am - 11:30 am CET | 5:00pm - 6:30pm SGT

Here’s an analogy to consider, imagine we asked the staff operating an airplane to not only fly the plane, but to transform it at the same time. It is a ridiculous ask, we all know it would never happen. The skills required to fly the plane or to serve passengers are not the same as those needed to transform the experience. Skillset aside, these folks already have a busy day job.


How do we break through this dichotomy – how can we learn to “Perform AND Transform” at the same time? How can we become “ambidextrous”?


Why then do we feel enterprises are any better placed to transform themselves, when they have many immediate pressing tasks to take care of? At the same time if they do nothing, they run the risk of being disrupted or falling behind.


Join this Masterclass to hear from Darren Thayre, Head of Innovation for Global Strategic Initiatives at Google. Based on his years at Google and Amazon, Darren believes the answer lies in what he calls “hedging” - the firm cannot afford to stop attempting to transform, despite the many obstacles. And that all firms should create a corporate venturing capability, as a hedge against the main business failing.

Key takeaways from this Masterclass:

  • What does a corporate ventures function do?
  • How should it operate?
  • How do you avoid innovation theatre and instead drive real impact?
  • What are the challenges of setting up a corporate ventures function?
  • Examples of corporate venturing
Watch Full Recording
Corporate Venturing ‐ Lessons from Google and Amazon, and Beyond - New
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Corporate Venturing ‐ Lessons from Google and Amazon, and Beyond - New

FEBRUARY 23, 2023

February 23, 2023 | 10:00 am - 11:30 am CET | 5:00pm - 6:30pm SGT

Here’s an analogy to consider, imagine we asked the staff operating an airplane to not only fly the plane, but to transform it at the same time. It is a ridiculous ask, we all know it would never happen. The skills required to fly the plane or to serve passengers are not the same as those needed to transform the experience. Skillset aside, these folks already have a busy day job.


How do we break through this dichotomy – how can we learn to “Perform AND Transform” at the same time? How can we become “ambidextrous”?


Why then do we feel enterprises are any better placed to transform themselves, when they have many immediate pressing tasks to take care of? At the same time if they do nothing, they run the risk of being disrupted or falling behind.


Join this Masterclass to hear from Darren Thayre, Head of Innovation for Global Strategic Initiatives at Google. Based on his years at Google and Amazon, Darren believes the answer lies in what he calls “hedging” - the firm cannot afford to stop attempting to transform, despite the many obstacles. And that all firms should create a corporate venturing capability, as a hedge against the main business failing.

Key takeaways from this Masterclass:

  • What does a corporate ventures function do?
  • How should it operate?
  • How do you avoid innovation theatre and instead drive real impact?
  • What are the challenges of setting up a corporate ventures function?
  • Examples of corporate venturing

Insights Masterclass Series

These virtual, educational sessions offer cutting-edge perspectives in key relevant areas such as strategy, future fitness, innovation, and leadership - delivered by global experts in the fields.

If you would like more information on the series or would like to register a group get in touch with egeisinger@tcb.org. You can view upcoming and previous Masterclasses from the series below. 

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