Corporate Radar for Tomorrow With Jaguar Land Rover's InMotion Ventures Managing Director Mike Smeed

How does a £29 billion global automotive company investing £18 billion in its future stay ahead of technologies that could reshape mobility? By building a radar for what’s next, and a bridge to the startups creating it.

This week's VentureFuel Visionary is Mike Smeed, Managing Director of Jaguar Land Rover's InMotion Ventures. 

In this episode, Mike explains why corporate venture capital is far more than an investment vehicle. It's the translation layer between the gears of startups and large enterprises, helping organizations identify disruptive technologies, navigate internal complexity, and accelerate transformation.

Drawing on his experience leading Jaguar Land Rover's InMotion Ventures, Mike also explores why startups and corporations often struggle to connect, how CVC creates value beyond capital, and why reputation, governance, and timing matter as much as technology. 

If you're building innovation capabilities, investing in emerging technologies, or designing partnerships with startups, this episode offers practical lessons for enterprise leaders.

Episode Highlights

• The Role of CVC in Enterprise Transformation – Mike explains why corporate venture capital is no longer just about financial returns, but about helping companies access emerging technologies, build strategic partnerships, and accelerate transformation.
• Why Startups Are Essential for Corporate Innovation – He shares why large organizations cannot build every capability internally and how startups provide access to specialized talent, breakthrough technologies, and faster innovation cycles.
• Bridging the Gap Between Corporates and Startups – Mike also discusses the unique role of CVC teams as translators between two very different worlds, creating a structured path for startups to collaborate with large enterprises.
• Moving Beyond the Strategic vs. Financial Debate – The conversation explores why the future of CVC is about measurable impact rather than choosing between strategic value and financial returns.
• Building Better Startup-Corporate Partnerships – Mike shares why trust, reputation, and a founder-friendly approach matter when working with startups, and how creating the right conditions can turn investments into meaningful enterprise impact.