How to Stand Up a Venture Capital Arm M&A Science

George Kellerman, VP, Head of Investments & Acquisitions at Woven by Toyota and Alexander Baum, Corporate Development Lead at Woven by Toyota
In the ever-evolving world of business, staying ahead isn't just about what a company does today, but how it prepares for tomorrow. This is where a venture capital arm comes into play. It is a specialized division within a larger company that focuses on investing in emerging startups and innovative projects. 
In this episode of the M&A Science Podcast, George Kellerman, VP, Head of Investments & Acquisitions at Woven by Toyota, and Alexander Baum, Corporate Development Lead at Woven by Toyota, share their experience on how to stand up a venture capital arm. 
Things you will learn:
• How did Woven by Toyota got started
• Successfully start a venture capital arm
• Leadership in managing people
• Biggest Lessons Learned
• Dealing with cultural difference
This episode is brought to you by the M&A Science Spring Summit 2024 happening on April 10th at 10AM ET. It's your chance to join leading M&A experts as they share innovative and the latest trends from their own deals. Save your spot here.
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Episode Bookmarks
*George Kellerman
00:00 Intro
06:15 From firefighter to M&A
09:49 How did Woven by Toyota got started
11:19 Project Kate
12:58 Pitching the shift in strategy
14:31 Woven Capital’s strategy
16:48 How to successfully start a venture capital arm
19:45 Leadership in managing people
22:03 Biggest lessons learned
26:00 A change in strategy
27:04 The Woven City Project
31:11 Dealing with cultural difference
35:40 Craziest thing in M&A
*Alex Baum
39:34 Noticing cultural differences in Japan
42:11 Relocating to Tokyo
44:07 New York vs Japan culture
45:28 Work culture in Japan
48:32 Rubber stamp approval in Japan
49:51 Balancing American and Japanese culture
51:27 Maintaining alignment
52:09 Craziest thing in M&A