Fireside chat: Strategically focused, financially driven - inside the InMotion Ventures reset

The automotive industry is undergoing an unparalleled structural transformation. Automakers are being stretched further down the value chain than ever before—forced to navigate direct-to-consumer experiences, circular economy mandates, and complex European regulations like battery passports and material provenance. How can a corporate venture capital (CVC) arm stay aligned with its parent company amidst this level of volatility? In this fireside chat from the Global Corporate Venturing (GCV) Conference, Mike Smeed, Managing Director of InMotion Ventures (the venture capital arm of Jaguar Land Rover), breaks down the fundamental reset his fund underwent to survive six senior leadership changes in just four years. Discover what it really takes to bridge the massive culture gap between fast-moving startups and rigid corporate silos—a role Mike colourfully describes as "getting punched in the face from both sides." Learn how InMotion Ventures successfully unified venture capital with JLR’s open innovation and venture clienting programs, why they eliminated "entrepreneurial tourism," and how the power dynamic has flipped to the point where top startups are now forcing corporates to sign proof-of-concept (POC) mandates inside their investment term sheets. 🕒 Interactive Timestamps 00:00 - Introduction to InMotion Ventures & Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) 00:58 - The Fundamental Reset: Navigating Macro Shifts in the Automotive Sector 02:06 - Moving Beyond Assembly: The Shift to Direct-to-Consumer Brand Ownership 03:13 - The Circular Economy Mandate: Battery Passports & Rare Earth Tracking 04:49 - Aligning the CVC Unit with Core Corporate Strategy 05:56 - Activity vs. Impact: Eradicating "Entrepreneurial Tourism" & Startup Exploitation 07:54 - "Punched from Both Sides": Managing the Corporate-Startup Culture Clash 11:32 - Survival Guide: Managing 6 Senior Management Changes in 4 Years 13:25 - Unifying CVC and Venture Clienting under JLR's Open Innovation Hub 15:27 - The Term Sheet Flip: Startups Demanding Guaranteed POC Side Letters 17:22 - Looking Forward: Horizon 3 Opportunities & The Chinese EV Entrant Threat in Europe 📈 Core Takeaways from the Discussion The Bridge is the Real Value: The mechanics of investing can be learned from a book. The true impact of an elite CVC comes down to translation—acting as a credible, safe buffer that prevents corporate silos from accidentally suffocating early-stage startup innovation. Venture Capital vs. Venture Clienting: While investment teams and corporate employees operate in distinct circles, the true strategic sweet spot occurs when ahead-of-the-curve VC bets seamlessly transition into live corporate POCs the moment the parent company's roadmap catches up. The Long Automotive Cycle: With 90% of vehicle design contents locked in 7 to 8 years ahead of launch, CVC arms must look well beyond short-term fixes and target Horizon 3 disruptions to maintain a true defensive moat against new global market entrants. About InMotion Ventures: InMotion Ventures is the wholly-owned corporate venture capital arm of JLR (Jaguar Land Rover). The fund invests in high-potential startups across climate, industrial, and enterprise technology sectors that are critical to the strategic, sustainable transformation of luxury automotive experiences.