Friday, March 31, 2017
Henkel is making further progress in expanding its corporate venture capital activities. With investments of more than 25 million euros in a number of start-ups and venture capital funds, Henkel will now manage its venture capital activities in a dedicated unit: Henkel Ventures. Led by an experienced management team, Henkel Ventures will focus on investing a total amount of up to 150 million euros in start-ups with specific digital or technological expertise.
“With Henkel Ventures, we are combining our corporate venture capital activities across our three business units – Adhesive Technologies, Beauty Care and Laundry & Home Care. We are partnering with start-ups, helping them to successfully develop their innovative ideas and technologies. We offer a deep understanding of customers and consumers worldwide, a portfolio of leading brands as well as strong expertise in bringing innovations and new technologies to markets,” said Dr. Robert Günther, member of Henkel Ventures’ core team.
The team will actively evaluate and manage equity investments and joint development projects with start-up companies in order to explore new technologies, applications and business models in areas of strategic interest to Henkel. Start-up businesses will benefit from the collaboration with Henkel Ventures through access to Henkel’s global footprint and long-term experience.
Focus on start-ups with digital or technological expertise
In November 2016, at the presentation of its strategic priorities “Henkel 2020+”, Henkel announced to step up its corporate venture capital activities with early-stage investments in start-up companies with digital or technological expertise.
In its consumer businesses Beauty Care and Laundry & Home Care, the focus will be primarily on digital – from “internet of things” to social media, e-commerce as well as personalized products and services. For Henkel’s Adhesive Technologies business, technology innovations such as 3D printing, functional coatings and printed electronics are of particular interest.
Existing investments in start-ups and venture capital funds
“At Henkel Ventures, we will build on our existing successful collaborations with start-up companies,” said Günther. For example, Henkel’s Adhesive Technologies business invested in total around 10 million euros in two material science-focused venture capital funds from Emerald Technology Ventures and Pangaea Ventures Ltd. in the last months. Furthermore, the business has already made direct investments in two material science start-ups – Vitriflex and DropWise. Additionally, the Laundry & Home Care business unit invested in the online dry cleaners and laundry service ZipJet.
Tags: 150 million euros, corporate venture capital activities, digital and technological expertise, Dr. Robert Günther, Henkel, member of Henkel Ventures’ core team.
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