CVC Investment Programs

Palo Alto, California

October 27-28, 2025 / 9AM - 5PM PT

Location / DLA Piper, 3203 Hanover St Suite 100, Palo Alto, CA 94304, USA

About the Program

Today’s Corporate Venture Capitalists (CVCs) are playing influential and high value roles in the global investment ecosystem, participating in more than 25% of Venture Capital (VC) deals and increasingly seen as partners of choice in complex and regulated sectors. But corporate venturing is hard! CVC programs must combine strategic and financial mandates and operate in a complex set of interdependent ecosystems involving both internal and external stakeholders. Integrating an understanding of the VC ‘rules of the game’ with an appreciation for the nuances for strategic investors is fundamental to CVC program professionalism and impact.

What is CVC Investment Programs?

CVC Investment Programs is a cohort-based masterclass that delves into the critical building blocks for professional corporate venturing programs.

The definitive course on corporate venturing, CVC Investment Programs is a cohort-based masterclass that delves into the critical building blocks for professional strategic investment programs. Both leaders of developing units and new joiners to established units will benefit from the fast-paced combination of self-paced technical materials, case studies, models and market data/resources enriched by facilitated live discussions. 

  • Illustrates key VC and CVC terms and concepts through best-in-class CVC case studies across a range of program charters, operating models and maturity phases 

  • Explores nuances for strategic investors participating in the VC investment process (CVC deal management, term sheets, cap tables, due diligence, board/observer roles)

  • Broadens perspectives on key success factors for meeting the new high bar for CVC professionalism

  • Promotes engagement with startup, CVC and legal role models, and networking with peers from other corporations to share experiences, challenges and best practices

  • Offers assessment-based certification and ongoing access to private Institute alumni LinkedIn group as well as quarterly online expert panels discussing hot topics for CVC investors

    Course Format Benefits

Our in person courses offer:

  • Networking Opportunities: Interact face-to-face with industry experts and fellow participants

  • Interactive Learning: Engage and ask questions in real time and participate in discussions that will enhance your learning to the full.

  • Hands-on Experience: Deepen your understanding and retention of the material through practical exercises and case study discussions.

    Pricing

  • $3,500 per person

    Group discounts and Leadership Society member discounts available. Contact courses@gcvinstitute.com for more information.

October 27, 2025
9AM - 5PM PT

    • Meet the Experts: Rob Coppedge, Echo Health Ventures

    • Breakout: CVC Role and Operating Model

    • Meet the Experts: George Hoyem, In-Q-Tel

    • Panel: Startups & Strategics - What Works, What Doesn’t

    • Meet the Experts: Bill Taranto, Merck Sharp & Dohme Global Heath Innovation Fund

    • Panel: Developing Investment Themes

    • Meet the Experts: David Hayes, ex-bp Ventures

    • Breakout: The Investment Committee

October 28, 2025
9AM - 4PM PT

    • Panel: CVC and VC Investment Process

    • Term Sheet and Cap Table Drill Down

    • Meet the Experts: Jody Thelander, BMG

    • Meet the Experts: Citi Ventures, Intel Capital

    • Breakout: What does ‘strategic’ mean?

Previous Expert Speakers

  • A professional headshot of a man in a dark suit, white shirt, and dark tie, smiling against a plain gray background.

    Jeff Baglio

    Partner, DLA Piper

  • A smiling man with short hair, wearing a white shirt and a blue plaid blazer, against a dark background.

    Richard Bull

    Partner; Vice Chair, Emerging Growth and Venture Capital, DLA Piper

  • Professional man wearing a dark suit and light blue checkered shirt, smiling at the camera against a gray background.

    James Fischer

    Partner, DLA Piper

  • Portrait of a young woman with long brown hair, wearing a light blue top, standing against a gray background.

    Veronica Gabriele

    Principal, Munich Re Ventures

  • A woman with shoulder-length blonde hair smiling outdoors with a building in the background.

    Katie Gray

    Senior Partner, in-Q-Tel

  • A portrait of a woman with short black hair, wearing a navy blue top, smiling against a gray background.

    Christine Lemke

    CEO, Evidation

  • Woman with black hair, wearing a white shirt and blue jeans, standing against a light gray brick wall, smiling and posing with her arms crossed.

    Elana Lian

    Partner, Dell Technologies Capital

  • A woman with shoulder-length dark hair wearing a black top and layered pearl necklaces, standing in front of a plain gray background.

    Deidre Paknad

    CEO and Co-Founder, Workboard, Inc.

  • A smiling man with light skin and short brown hair, wearing a white patterned shirt, outdoors with blurred green and gray background.

    Spencer Tall

    Managing Director, AllegisCyber Capital