S8E17 - Mike Smeed, Managing Director @ InMotion Ventures

Happy Wednesday from James Pringle, Hector Mason and the Riding Unicorns team!

Mike Smeed, Managing Director at InMotion Ventures, Jaguar Land Rover’s corporate venture capital arm.

Mike shares his journey from a career in finance to leading one of the most active CVCs in the UK. He provides unique insights into the role of corporate venture capital in driving strategic innovation, supporting startups, and helping transform legacy industries like automotive.

In this episode, we cover:

• The vision behind InMotion Ventures and its focus on climate, industrial, and enterprise tech

• Balancing strategic goals with financial returns as a CVC

• How InMotion Ventures partners with startups to accelerate innovation at Jaguar Land Rover

• The evolving landscape of driverless cars and the future of autonomous vehicles

• The importance of longevity and integration for CVC success

Mike also offers a fascinating perspective on the value of collaboration between CVCs and startups, as well as what it takes to build a sustainable and impactful venture arm.

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Have a great Wednesday,

The Riding Unicorns team