Coming off the heels of an unforgettable CVC / Open Innovation Summit in Miami, I couldn't be more excited to share what we've been building — and what’s ahead.
In this issue:
How AI is really being deployed inside CVCs — and what separates success from noise
Why geopolitics and sustainability are reshaping investment priorities
A behind-the-scenes look at Diligent Robotics and the future of embodied AI in healthcare
The launch of our new podcast — real conversations with innovation leaders navigating system change
Updates from our collaborators across Texas, Penang, Tokyo, and Vietnam
And a special invite to the Outthinker Reinvention Summit Europe in Dublin
It's a packed edition — full of signals, stories, and strategies to help you navigate what’s next.
Let’s dive in!
Philipp Willigmann
Transformative Outcomes from CVC/OI Summit 2025: A New Paradigm for Global Cooperation
Last month, we had the privilege of convening 80+ hand-selected leaders at the CVC / Open Innovation Summit 2025 in Miami. An exclusive gathering of corporate venture leaders, innovation & strategy executives, and visionaries.
The atmosphere was electric - from behind-the-scenes working sessions to strategy discussions with leaders from Bosch, Mitsubishi, Watsco, Allstate, Ryder, Hyundai, Stellantis, General Motors, Vontier, Danaher and many more.
We also proudly welcomed our sponsors, whose support helped make this possible: Greenberg Traurig, KPMG, GlassDollar, Mintz, and Bank of America.
Key agenda highlights included:
The rise of venture clienting as a go-to-market accelerator for startups
How AI is (really) being deployed inside CVCs — and why some efforts fail
What makes great venture boards a strategic asset, not a formality
Why CVCs are doubling down on futureproofing infrastructure (food, water, energy)
The shifting dynamics in emerging innovation markets across LATAM, SEA, India and Africa
Three dominant themes emerged:
AI. From startup scoring models to generative copilots, AI has become a core capability, not just a trend. Yet questions remain around trust, explainability, and integration into legacy systems.
Geopolitics. Amid macro shifts and regional bifurcations, many leaders discussed how innovation must adapt to a more fragmented, uncertain world - from supply chain re-localization to dual-market GTM strategies.
Sustainability. The urgency of climate, resource scarcity, and energy security continues to reshape venture priorities. CVCs are taking a more active role in futureproofing through investments, partnerships, and portfolio engagement.
These themes weren’t just talked about - they were actively explored through closed-door sessions, strategy labs, and cross-industry collaboration.
For those who couldn’t make it, we will release the official White Paper Series this month. This includes deep dives into each of the above topics, co-authored by Daniel Kennel and Philipp Willigmann, with contributions from industry leaders such as Carl Ganter, Shawn Hoyer, Michael Berkowitz, Bryan McCann, Kaihan Krippendorf and many more.
📌 The White Papers will be shared later this month on www.u-path.com - stay tuned. In the meantime, follow the CVC / Open Innovation page for updates and upcoming opportunities to engage
Future of CVC discussion, with Kurt Baumgarten (GM), Josch Berg (Magna), Philipp Willigmann (u-path) and Paul Burgen (Ex-Danaher)
Participants of the 2025 CVC summit
Introducing: Inside CVC – The u-path Podcast
We’re bringing the CVC Summit & more to your headphones with Inside CVC, our new podcast series hosted by u-path and recorded live by Steve Schmidt.
This show dives deep with the visionaries shaping the future of corporate venture capital - unpacking real, unfiltered conversations on the biggest macro shifts shaping innovation today, from AI adoption, emerging innovation ecosystems, and energy and water security to geopolitics and workforce enablement.
In our first episode, we are sitting down with J. Carl Ganter, co-founder of Circle of Blue and advisor to the World Economic Forum, and explore how climate resilience, systems thinking, and corporate venture capital intersect to unlock exponential impact.
📡 First episodes drops today on all platforms. Whether you’re a founder, intrapreneur, or investor, subscribe now and don’t miss it.
Investment Spotlight: Diligent Robotics – Augmenting Care with Embodied AI
At u-path investments, we invest - often alongside our CVC partners and through our platform augmenta - in transformative technologies that improve the lives of individuals with physical, cognitive, or situational limitations, and reconnect people to meaningful work.
And Diligent Robotics is a standout example. Their socially intelligent robot, Moxi, autonomously handles hospital logistics tasks like fetching supplies, delivering lab samples, and moving medications, helping alleviate the crushing labor shortage in healthcare while allowing clinical staff to focus on direct patient care.
With over $10M in ARR and robots deployed across leading U.S. health systems, Diligent Robot is now scaling fast. The company combines best-in-class embodied AI, seamless integration into clinical workflows, and a human-centric design that nurses genuinely love. Its ability to operate in hospitals without infrastructure changes marks a breakthrough in healthcare robotics.
We’re proud to co-invest in this Series A+round alongside world-class VCs including Canaan, True Ventures, DNX Ventures, and Tiger Global, who are all reinvesting with conviction.
As former corporate innovation leaders and CVC operators, we immediately recognized Diligent Robot’s ability to solve a critical industry pain point while unlocking long-term commercial and strategic value.
If you’d like to learn more about how to invest with us (or co-invest alongside our network of CVCs and institutional partners) please reach out to us.
Team Updates
From Texas to Tokyo, from Da Nang to Penang – u-path collaborators are shaping the future across industries and continents:
🚛 SamAbibi led a panel at Hillwood’s Forward Fort Worth Summit with Jon Gabriel, Lawrence Bader, and Gabe Sganga, exploring how yard automation is transforming logistics across distribution centers, railyards, and ports — and why long-term partnerships are key to sustainable rollout. 🔗 Read more
🇻🇳 Chrystie Dao, our partner in Vietnam/SEA, was invited by the Da Nang government to a summit focused on the future of innovation, trade, and investment. Supporting the city’s bold vision to establish an International Financial Centre and Free Trade Zones. 🔗 Read more here
🇯🇵 Christian Schmitz, our partner in Japan, is co-hosting the Sustainable City Summit Vol. III from May 9-10. The summit explores solutions across wellbeing, energy, food, mobility, and circularity, shaping future cities through global collaboration. 🔗 Learn more & join
🌱 NaiaYang, our partner in Korea, is part of the team behind Slush Penang from May 19-21. The event brings Nordic energy to Southeast Asia, uniting founders, funders, and ecosystem builders in a bold regional gathering for innovation. 🔗 Sign up here
We are excited to deepen our collaboration with Outthinker, building on Kaihan Krippendorff’s inspiring presence at our recent CVC / Open Innovation Summit. As a next step, u-path is proud to invite our network to the upcoming Outthinker Reinvention Summit Europe, taking place in Dublin on April 28, 2025.
This is a high-impact gathering of strategy and innovation leaders committed to reshaping the future of business. We believe the blend of Outthinker’s disruptive strategy frameworks and u-path’s system-thinking approach creates a powerful foundation for meaningful change.
🎟️ Use our special code OUTTHINKER for priority access:Register here
If you're considering attending and would like to discuss it first, feel free to reach out to Philipp directly at philipp.willigmann@u-path.com.
Final Thoughts
2025 is shaping up to be a defining year. The macro winds are shifting. AI is rewriting how we build, scale, and decide. And CVCs are stepping up, not just as capital providers, but as global navigators of innovation, resilience, and growth.
We’re proud to be on this journey with so many founders, intrapreneurs, investors, and ecosystem builders just like yourself.
P.S. In case you missed last week's special on Germany, read more how global collaboration, capital, and innovation must converge to keep Germany competitive.📖 Read the full article →
Stay Connected
As we continue to shape the future through innovation and collaboration, we invite you to stay connected. Let’s keep the conversation going and work together to drive real impact.
Your feedback, partnerships, and collaboration are crucial in making all this possible.
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Reach out to us here and let’s create meaningful change together.
u-path Venture Advisors, 500 Knights Run Ave, Tampa, FL 33602, United States, +1 332 244 3450
