Corporate venture capital (CVC) is widely seen as essential to corporate innovation. But most programs fail to deliver. They mimic VC or offer passive optics, promising to “see around corners” without ever forcing action. Many become innovation theatre, expensive experiments with a five-year shelf life.
That’s not just a missed opportunity, it’s a threat. The average lifespan of an S&P 500 company has collapsed from 61 years in 1958 to less than 18 today. Since 2000, 52% of Fortune 500 companies have disappeared. In a world of accelerating disruption, optionality is no longer enough.

Survival now demands strategic intent – and the courage to act on it. What if we reframed the role of corporate venture capital entirely? READ MORE