CVC Investment Programs

Palo Alto, California

March 23-24, 2026 / 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.

March 23, 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

March 24, 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?

Confirmed Speakers

  • A man with a bald head and a smiling face, wearing a white shirt and a blue plaid blazer, against a dark gray background.

    Richard Bull

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

  • A woman with shoulder-length dark brown hair, wearing a black top and a silver necklace, smiling slightly in front of a neutral background.

    Arun Chetty

    VP and Senior Partner, National Grid Partners

  • Professional portrait of a man in a navy suit and light blue checkered shirt, smiling against a gray background.

    James Fischer

    Partner, DLA Piper

  • A woman with shoulder-length black hair wearing a dark blue top, smiling at the camera against a light gray background.

    Gonzalo Fuenzalia-Meriz

    Co-Founder and CEO, Andes

  • A smiling woman with shoulder-length blonde hair, wearing a yellow top, outdoors with a blurred background of a lawn and building.

    Zach Jones

    Co-Founder and CEO, Graphitic Energy

  • Headshot of a smiling middle-aged man with short, light brown hair, outdoors with blurred green background.

    Spencer Tall

    Managing Director, AllegisCyber Capital