M Ventures Fills The Gap Between Internal R&D And M&A

M Ventures VC Deep Dive
(Image: M Ventures)

Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany is a leading science and technology company that operates across the healthcare, life science, and electronics sectors. The company makes a positive difference in millions of people’s lives every day by creating more joyful and sustainable ways to live. M Ventures is Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany’s corporate VC that invests in innovative technologies to solve the problems of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany’s customers.

Fund Snapshot

  • Stage: Series Seed to Series B
  • Check Size: €1M – €5M
  • Geography: Global
  • Lead/Follow: Both

Why was the fund created?

M Ventures was created as a way to fill the gap between internal R&D/BD and M&A: “Over the past decade, M Ventures has established itself globally as a leading partner to the biotech and tech venture ecosystems.” BelĂ©n Garijo, Chair of the Executive Board and CEO of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, added that “M Ventures [will] continue to advance our pioneering innovation strategy, to deliver sustainable business performance and be a catalyst for innovative companies to develop breakthrough technologies.” As a 70% family-owned, world-leading science and technology company, M Ventures believes in innovation, collaboration, and scientific progress.

What is a contrarian idea your M Ventures believes to be true?

M Ventures strongly holds to the principle that strategic and financial value is equally important and not mutually exclusive. The team has great success today, both financially and through a high level of engagement between portfolio companies and Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany.

What domains in climate tech does M Ventures have the greatest expertise in?

Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany has a long history of innovation in the healthcare, life science, and electronics segments. They have strong expertise in a diverse range of scientific disciplines. M Ventures invests in technology that aligns with the strategic interests of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany in Healthcare, Life Sciences, Electronics, Frontier Tech, and Sustainability. 

What type of portfolio support does M Ventures provide?

Portfolio companies benefit from M Ventures’ deep experience in building and growing early-stage companies and from their access to Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany’s expertise and network. M Ventures takes an active role in its portfolio companies and teams up with entrepreneurs and co-investors to strive for commercial success.

What would make M Ventures consider deviating from their typical criteria?

M Ventures has a broad thesis and looks at every opportunity on merit, recognizing that all investments are unique and that there needs to be alignment between strategic vision and a clear path to value creation. M Ventures doesn’t shy away from technology risk, as they manage it with a milestone driven approach and mitigate it with diligence. M Ventures is curious, science-focused, and value-driven. Disruption and changes in paradigms rarely emerge from sticking to “typical criteria.”

About The Author

Daniel Kriozere

Daniel Kriozere

Co-Founder @ The Impact

Daniel currently works at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory as a Product Manager. Outside of his day job, he is a Principal at C3, Tech Scout at For ClimateTech, and Venture Scout at Prithvi. He also works with various climate incubators/accelerators (Cleantech Open, Techstars, and Joules Accelerator) and runs The Impact and Innovate Climate – both are newsletters covering startups in the climate space.

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