Welcome to Carbon13’s podcast “Climate Takes” where we ask founders, investors and builders for their “takes” on their industry and climate challenge, as well as setting a call to action, asking what will it take to solve the climate emergency?
In this episode we’re delighted to be joined by Mike Smeed, Managing Director of InMotion Ventures, the Corporate VC of Jaguar Land Rover. CVCs straddle the worlds of VCs and corporate innovation and in 2024 invested over $10billion into climatetech.
Mike takes us through a deep dive into this investor class and in particular, focuses on what climatetech angels and founders should know about CVCs like InMotion, and how to view their role in the investment landscape.
About the episode
We’re looking at Corporate VCs and the role they play in funding climatetech startups – and in a sector where the majority of startups are b2b, and pilots, LOIs and Offtakes are the holy grails, this makes them an investor class well worth understanding.
Mike himself has spent decades working in corporates that are household names, he’s now shaping the strategic direction of InMotion Ventures, leading new deals and aligning fund activities with JLR’s transformation plans. The portfolio already contains startups working in batteries, rare earth recycling, and supply chain visibility.
Mike’s now dedicating his career to rocket-boosting innovation and elevating the work of CVCs to the wider entrepreneurial ecosystem. CVCs vary enormously, the sector’s undergoing macrotrends globally as well, so educating founders and angels about how best to leverage their support in the transition to Net Zero is a masterclass worth following.
Also on Climate Takes
We ask special guests for their “takes” on their industry and climate challenge, as well as setting a call to action, asking what will it take to solve the climate emergency?