TDK Ventures

What sets a truly effective CVC apart, and how can founders tell the difference? At TechCrunch Disrupt, TDK Ventures President 🌱🤝🌍 Nicolas Sauvage will take the Breakout Stage to unpack what modern Corporate Venture Capital can and should look like when done right. In this myth-busting conversation, Nicolas will challenge outdated perceptions of CVC (slow decision-making, limited follow-on, strings-attached capital) and offer a fresh perspective shaped by lessons from building TDK Ventures. He’ll explore how the top CVCs deliver more than funding: - Alignment of strategic and financial priorities - Speed and discipline in execution - Deep engagement beyond the cap table (what we call TDK Goodness) With examples drawn from real founder partnerships, this session is designed for those building breakthrough technologies and seeking investors who operate as true allies in scaling impact. Join us October 28, 1:30–2:20 PM, on the Breakout Stage at TechCrunch Disrupt, for a candid conversation on how the right CVC can help founders move faster, scale smarter, and stay resilient for the long haul. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/e7ACh_Pc

⚡ Reimagining the Transformer for the AI and Electrification Era As AI datacenters multiply and electricity demand surges, the century-old transformer — the backbone of our power grid — is showing its age. That’s why we invested in Amperesand, a company building solid-state transformers (SSTs) to meet the power needs of the datacenter era and the grid of the future. SSTs are digital-native power conversion systems that can handle both AC and DC electricity, reduce losses, and enable smarter, more resilient grids. They are key to unlocking the next generation of AI factories, renewable energy integration, EV fast charging, and industrial microgrids — all while easing grid congestion and shortening multi-year transformer lead times. As we share in our latest article, “Why We Invested in Amperesand,” these innovations represent a step-change in how power is delivered, managed, and scaled for the world’s accelerating energy demands. At TDK Ventures, we’re proud to partner with pioneers like Amperesand who are helping to build the digital, renewable, and electrified grid of the 21st century. 👉 Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/eGfnChxT

The EU’s new ‘Apply AI’ strategy marks a pivotal step in strengthening Europe’s technical sovereignty. By accelerating the development and adoption of European-built AI tools, the initiative aims to enhance security, resilience, and industrial competitiveness—with manufacturing identified as a key focus area. Backed by €1 billion in planned funding, it underscores AI’s growing role in driving innovation across the continent. At TDK Ventures, we’re already seeing this transformation through our portfolio companies redefining how #AI, #robotics, and #automation are shaping the future of manufacturing and supply chain operations. For example, our portfolio company ANYbotics is delivering robotic solutions that automate industrial inspections—improving uptime, reducing costs, and enhancing safety by keeping workers out of hazardous environments. This alignment between policy and innovation marks an exciting step forward, and we’re proud to help enable technologies that make industry smarter, safer, and more sustainable. 👉 Read more from Edith Hancock in The Wall Street Journal here: https://shorturl.at/k1v4p

We’re excited to share that Ravi Jain, Investment Director at TDK Ventures, will speak at GITEX GLOBAL Largest Tech & Startup Show in the World 2025 in Dubai as part of the 10X Summit at Expand North Star. On October 13, Ravi joins a powerhouse panel, “The Next Frontier: Deep Tech, Frontier Markets, and Untapped Sectors,” exploring how CVCs can move beyond saturated industries to seize bold new opportunities—from quantum computing and space tech to emerging markets across Asia, MENA, and beyond. Ravi will share how TDK Ventures invests at the intersection of deep tech and impact, backing entrepreneurs who are redefining the future of energy, compute, and advanced materials. He’ll be joined by an exceptional lineup of leaders shaping the next chapter of venture capital: Reda Nidhakou, CEO, VentureOne Julien Fredonie, Chief Venture Director, Honda Xcelerator Ventures SUNG SIK BYUN, Head of EMEA, Samsung Ventures Wei Xiao, Director of Ecosystem Relations, NVIDIA Sonia Gokhale, Co-Founder & General Partner, VentureSouq Together, they’ll discuss how to balance risk and innovation—and what it takes to unlock value in fast-moving, complex markets. We’re proud to see Ravi represent TDK Ventures and our mission to scale technologies that truly matter on the global stage. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gF7GBqnd

Back in July, we co-led Turquoise Hydrogen startup Tulum Energy’s $27m seed round. But what was it about Tulum that convinced us this was the right company to bet on? In a recent piece with Global Corporate Venturing, TDK Ventures’s David Delfassy and Joshua Robnitz, shared how Tulum’s technology stands out in one of clean energy’s toughest challenges - delivering industrial-scale #hydrogen that is both affordable and sustainable. Though hydrogen is popularly viewed as an alternative fuel or chemical feedstock that promises lower carbon emissions than conventional technologies, it is currently a highly polluting chemical. Tulum’s approach to methane pyrolysis offers a low-emissions alternative that delivers hydrogen at a competitive cost while reducing carbon emissions by up to 95%. Our deep dive into this emerging pathway revealed that Tulum’s methane pyrolysis technology can deliver a scalable solution to decarbonise the $125B hydrogen industry, and we are proud to back them as a pioneer in this space. • Hydrogen production cost target: $1–$2/kg • Reactor lineage proven at scale • Energy needs as low as ~10 kWh/kg H₂ • ~8× smaller footprint vs. competing clean H₂ approaches • Up to ~95% lower carbon intensity vs. steam-methane reforming (SMR) • First pilot site identified, co-located with a steel plant Read the full piece in GCV here: https://shorturl.at/yfiTt

We’re delighted to announce that Qianran (Katherine) He, PhD has been promoted to Senior Investment Associate at TDK Ventures! Since joining our team, Katherine has shown remarkable dedication to supporting entrepreneurs and advancing innovation across the deep-tech ecosystem. Her insight, drive, and collaborative spirit have made her an invaluable part of our mission, and we’re excited to see her take on this expanded role. Please join us in congratulating Katherine on this well-deserved promotion! 👏

🔒 Protecting Trade Secrets During VC Due Diligence For early-stage startups, trade secrets are a vital intellectual property asset and a key differentiator for the business. Notwithstanding the need to protect trade secrets, venture capital firms often require founders to shares these crown jewels during the diligence process prior to financing events. This transparency is essential for securing funding, yet it comes with real risk for the startup, including: - Misappropriation or leaks, especially when engaging with corporate VCs who report back to parent companies - Loss of IP protection, since trade secrets only hold value while they remain secret - Reputational harm if sensitive information is exposed The good news? With the right safeguards, startups can strike a balance between openness and protection. In this new article from TDK Ventures' General Counsel Bill Graves, he explores: - Why trade secrets are critical for valuation and growth - The unique risks startups face when sharing confidential data with VCs and CVCs - Best practices for protecting IP during diligence, including NDAs, secure data rooms, and tiered disclosure strategies - How thoughtful transparency builds trust while keeping your competitive edge secure Startups that protect their secrets aren’t being paranoid—they’re showing leadership. Investors respect it, competitors envy it, and your company’s future depends on it. 👉 Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/gnFqTFmE

AI is moving from lab demos to real-world adoption—but unlocking its full potential demands both innovative products and robust infrastructure. At the 2025 G-49 Summit, 🌱🤝🌍 Nicolas Sauvage will explore the breakthroughs, challenges, and opportunities shaping the future of AI—from the compute and energy required to power it, to the strategies that turn cutting-edge research into enterprise-scale impact. This year’s theme, “Industrial Technology Reimagined: Building Boldly in an Age of Disruption,” brings together leaders and innovators to examine how digital transformation, AI, reshoring, supply chain reinvention, and shifting global policies are redefining the industrial landscape. Learn more about the summit: https://lnkd.in/epjTucAq

🤝 From Arms-Length to Arm-in-Arm At TDK Ventures, we’re seeing a powerful shift: startups are moving from minimal disclosure to genuine transparency with their corporate venture capital partners. As our CFO Robert Porter shares in his latest article, this change is driven by today’s market realities — longer fundraising cycles, tighter liquidity, and greater operational complexity. When founders proactively share detailed financials and context, CVCs can move faster to open doors to strategic customers, negotiate better supplier terms, and help solve challenges before they become crises. Transparency isn’t about losing control — it’s about giving your investors the “GPS” to help you avoid dead ends and accelerate growth. Read Robert’s full perspective here: https://lnkd.in/dGGirNST

⚡ Has LFP (lithium iron phosphate) already won the battery race? ⚡ On October 7 in London, TDK Ventures, Energy Revolution Ventures, and British Land will host an exclusive panel tackling one of the most pressing questions in energy storage. We’re bringing together a powerhouse lineup of experts: • Cindi Bough, Managing Director, Climate Investment (CI) • Cormac O’Laoire PhD, Managing Director, Electrios Consultants • Henry Sanderson, Associate Fellow at RUSI & Author of Volt Rush • Ulderico Ulissi, Principal & Head of Global Climate Ventures, CATL With confirmed attendees from Shell, bp, Equinor, Samsung Ventures, Aramco Ventures, Fortescue, Reliance Industries Limited, and more, this event will spotlight the future of batteries, sustainability, and global energy transformation. 👉 Register your interest and join the waiting list: https://luma.com/v2qo63dc