Ana Lopes of IBM Ventures on Translating Science, Supporting Founders, and Building the Next Chapter of Corporate Venture Capital

Ana Lopes of IBM Ventures on Translating Science, Supporting Founders, and Building the Next Chapter of Corporate Venture Capital

Interviewed March 25th, 2026 at the GCV Monterey Summit [https://cv-insider.com/episode/episode-125-ana-lopes/] In this episode of Corporate Venturing Insider, Nicolas Sauvage speaks with Ana Lopes of IBM Ventures about her journey from astrophysics and MIT tech transfer to startup building, GE Ventures, and IBM Ventures. Ana shares lessons on translating science from lab to market, why founders should start with the problem rather than the technology, and how corporate VCs can provide “capital plus” through customer access, strategic validation, and go-to-market support. They also discuss IBM Ventures’ focus on enterprise AI, hybrid cloud, and quantum computing, plus how CVC teams can bring market signals back to the mothership.

Policy, Capital, and the Future of Innovation: NVCA’s Bobby Franklin on Why VCs and CVCs Must Work Together

Bobby Franklin joins Nicolas Sauvage for a conversation on venture capital policy, the rise of corporate venture capital, AI regulation, and the future of innovation. They explore why exits matter, how Washington misunderstands startups, and why stronger alignment between VCs, CVCs, and policymakers is increasingly critical to sustaining entrepreneurship and technological leadership. Interviewed March 18th, 2026 [https://cv-insider.com/episode/episode-124-bobby-franklin/]

600 Bets, Zero Consensus: How Coinbase Ventures Thinks Differently with Hoolie Tejwani

In this episode of Corporate Venturing Insider, recorded on March 24, 2026 at the Global Corporate Venturing Innovation Summit in Monterey, Nicolas Sauvage sits down with Hoolie Tejwani to unpack one of the most unconventional models in venture today. With over 600 investments since 2018, Coinbase Ventures has taken a radically different approach—prioritizing speed, breadth, and ecosystem development over concentrated ownership and control. Tejwani shares how the firm scaled from a decentralized experiment into a high-velocity investment platform, why conviction matters more than consensus, and how Coinbase Ventures operates as an “API” for founders rather than a traditional lead investor. The conversation explores the tradeoffs behind investing at scale, the role of corporate venture alongside traditional VC, and how Coinbase Ventures supports founders without imposing structure too early. Tejwani also reflects on the importance of humility, continuous learning, and regularly “disrupting” internal frameworks to stay adaptive in a fast-moving market. For investors, operators, and founders alike, this episode offers a candid look at how venture models are evolving—and what it takes to build at the edge of an emerging ecosystem.

What It’s Like Stepping Into a Moving Venture Machine: Laurel Buckner on BHP Ventures

In this episode of Corporate Venturing Insider [https://cv-insider.com/], Nicolas Sauvage speaks with Laurel Buckner [https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurel-m-buckner], head of BHP Ventures, about what it takes to step into and lead an already established corporate venture fund. Laurel shares how she approached her first 30 days, aligned with senior leadership, and built on a high-performing team without disrupting momentum. The conversation explores BHP Ventures’ integrated model, its focus across the mining value chain, and how corporate VCs can balance strategic alignment with financial discipline. Laurel also discusses emerging opportunities in AI, critical minerals, and the evolving role of corporate venture capital in today’s innovation ecosystem. Interviewed February 11, 2026 [https://cv-insider.com/episode/episode-122-laurel-buckner/]

Inside BASF’s AgroStart Model for Startup Collaboration with Mirella Lisboa

In this episode of Corporate Venturing Insider, Nicolas Sauvage speaks with Mirella Lisboa [https://www.linkedin.com/in/mirellabalisboa/], Head of AgroStart LatAm at BASF, about how large corporations can turn startup collaboration into real business impact. Mirella explains how AgroStart operates as an open innovation platform connecting BASF business units with startups tackling real agricultural challenges. She discusses how the team structures partnerships around clear problems, measurable KPIs, and disciplined proof-of-concepts to avoid “innovation theater.” The conversation also explores AgroStart’s role as a venture client and how its work feeds insights to BASF Venture Capital. The result is a practical look at how corporates can build internal capacity to respond to innovation. Interviewed February 10th, 2026 [https://cv-insider.com/episode/episode-121-mirella-lisboa/]