TDK Ventures

What does it take for VCs to move beyond platitudes and genuinely support the entrepreneurs they fund? In a recent Harvard Business Review article, our own President ?????? Nicolas Sauvage explores how the Net Promoter Score (NPS) methodology has proven invaluable over the past five years. At TDK Ventures, NPS has guided and empowered us to serve our entrepreneurs more effectively as customers. Nicolas details a practical four-step approach for implementing NPS in a VC fund, demonstrating how it can unlock untapped ideas from entrepreneurs and ensure a mutually beneficial experience for both VCs and founders. Read the full article to explore these insights and more: https://lnkd.in/g2pbPtHf #VentureCapital #NetPromoterScore #NPS #startups #VC #entrepreneurs

Unlocking the power of deep tech. On March 13, TDK Ventures President ?????? Nicolas Sauvage will speak at the Hello Tomorrow Global Summit in Paris. Nicolas will join the panel "Global Funding Gaps: Mapping High-Potential Regions" to share insights on identifying emerging investment opportunities, bridging funding gaps, and driving growth across key innovation hubs in the US, Europe, Asia, and MENA. The Hello Tomorrow Global Summit brings together the brightest minds to explore how deep tech can shape our future — learn more here: https://lnkd.in/guPBDNfa

Expanding into new markets is a bold step for any CVC firm—one that demands strategic foresight, cultural awareness, and deep local partnerships. On March 13, our President, ?????? Nicolas Sauvage, will speak at Global Corporate Venturing’s webinar: "Going Global: How CVCs Can Successfully Expand into New Markets." Alongside leaders like Nichola Bates (Boeing), Kendra Rauschenberger (Siemens Energy), and Dong-Su Kim (LG Technology Ventures), Nicolas will dive into the strategies that enable successful international growth. From selecting the right markets to structuring your team for success, this session will uncover critical insights for CVC leaders navigating expansion. Key topics include: ?? How to align local market needs with global corporate priorities ?? Navigating regulatory challenges in complex regions ?? Building partnerships that create long-term value If you’re charting a path for your CVC’s international growth, this is a must-attend conversation: ?? Register here: https://lnkd.in/gfiKezhK

The UK’s Next Big Bet: Carbon Capture. The UK’s leadership in offshore wind proves that the right mix of policy, investment, and innovation can drive world-changing climate tech. Now, carbon capture is emerging as the next frontier—both technologically and economically. In his article for UKTN, TDK Ventures' David Delfassy explores how Britain can leverage its expertise in energy infrastructure to become a global leader in carbon capture and storage (CCS). With the potential to decarbonize industries and create thousands of jobs, this is an opportunity the UK cannot afford to miss. Read more about why carbon capture is Britain’s next big climate tech bet: https://lnkd.in/g8ccn4kq #ClimateTech #CarbonCapture #Innovation #Sustainability #UKTech

What are the technological innovations in geothermal energy and where are they headed? The global energy landscape is shifting rapidly, with soaring demand from data centers and new American manufacturing. Amidst the search for scalable, clean, and reliable energy, geothermal energy has emerged as an attractive candidate. Unlike wind and solar, which are intermittent, geothermal offers 24/7 baseload power with low land use. Recent breakthroughs—especially in Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS)—are unlocking new potential. EGS, and other “unconventional” forms of geothermal, are making geothermal viable in more locations than ever before. What’s driving this momentum? - Oil & gas drilling technologies (notably from the shale revolution) repurposed for geothermal - Enhanced geothermal systems, using open fracture networks (Fervo Energy, Union Corporation) - AI-powered exploration (Zanskar Geothermal & Minerals, Inc.) - Novel closed-loop systems (Eavor Technologies Inc., XGS Energy, GreenFire Energy Inc) - Supercritical geothermal breakthroughs (Mazama Energy, GA Drilling, Quaise Energy) Yet, challenges remain. Developers are working to reduce costs across the value chain, understand novel geologies, and functionalize robust & modular systems. With the right investments and innovations, geothermal could become a cornerstone of our clean energy future. At TDK Ventures, we’re actively exploring this space and looking to connect with innovators driving the next leap in geothermal. If you're working on something exciting—let’s talk! ?? https://lnkd.in/gj3vC8Sj #GeothermalEnergy #Cleantech #EnhancedGeothermalSystems #EGS #Innovation #EnergyTransition

Carbon removal needs a transformation. Spiritus is making it happen with breakthrough direct air capture (DAC) technology designed to scale efficiently. That’s why TDK Ventures is investing in Spiritus to help accelerate deployment and bring this solution to the world faster. To keep global warming in check, up to 20 billion tons of CO2 must be removed annually through 2050. Spiritus is tackling this challenge with its Carbon Orchard system, which uses a novel sorbent material and a passive capture process to drive down costs and accelerate deployment. Their first facility in New Mexico will capture 1,000 tons of CO? per year, with a 2-million-ton-per-year site in Wyoming already in motion. As our President ?????? Nicolas Sauvage put it, “Spiritus is exactly the kind of company TDK wants to champion – hard, materials tech that can change the world for the better.” Read more about our investment and their groundbreaking work here: https://lnkd.in/gnhf8mTN

The battery storage market has surged nearly six times since 2020 and is set to grow five times more by 2030, but ensuring consistent quality remains a challenge. TDK Ventures, through Fund EX1, is investing in Glimpse to transform battery quality management with next-generation 3D X-ray CT scanning. Their proprietary technology produces a comprehensive assessment of a battery’s manufacturing quality, enabling real-time visualization, collaboration, and analysis. Glimpse has already improved CT scanning throughput by a factor of 30 in just one year and is working toward sub-second scans while maintaining high image quality. We’re proud to support their mission alongside existing investors Ibex Investors and Flybridge to drive high-yield battery manufacturing and a safer, more reliable energy transition. Read more about this exclusively in Axios: https://lnkd.in/d7duVTQV More on our investment: https://lnkd.in/g8gGtWru

Is your startup ready to level up its financial strategy? In ??????Robert Porter's latest article, he breaks down the evolving role of the CFO—from handling day-to-day finances to steering strategic growth—and shares insights on when it makes sense to bring a CFO onboard. Here are some key highlights: ? Beyond the Numbers: Discover why a CFO is more than just a number cruncher and how they fuel innovation. ? Right Timing: Learn the indicators that signal when your startup is ready for dedicated financial leadership. ? Expert Advice: Gain insights from industry leaders like pH7 Technologies's Dan Parmar, CPA, CA, SILICON BOX's Hong Zhou Wong, and Genetesis' Peeyush Shrivastava who advise hiring a strategic CFO early to analyze market data, build robust business models, ensure compliance, and drive growth. ? Stopgap Options: Explore alternatives such as fractional CFO services before making a full-time hire. ? Core Responsibilities: Understand the multifaceted role—from budgeting and forecasting to risk management and investor relations. ? Winning Traits: Find out what qualities make a CFO a true strategic partner in a fast-growing tech startup. Read the full article and join the conversation on how strategic financial leadership can transform the journey of a startup. https://lnkd.in/guPENkzB

India’s startup scene is shifting gears. The IPO boom is fueling a wave of deep tech investment, pulling focus toward electric mobility, energy, AI, and robotics. Ravi Jain, who leads TDK Ventures’ India operations, shared his take with Global Corporate Venturing. A decade ago, most founders chased low-hanging fruit in fintech and e-commerce. Now more are tackling the hard stuff. Big problems with big impact. Companies like Exponent Energy with ultra-fast EV charging, Infinite Uptime with AI-powered industrial analytics, and Fasal - Grow More, Grow Better? with precision agriculture are leading the charge. Read Ravi’s fresh take on India's deep tech revolution where he shares how a booming manufacturing base and vibrant IPO market are paving the way for breakthroughs in robotics, EVs, and energy: https://lnkd.in/ebjFGUbG

Expanding into new markets is complex. Success depends on understanding regulations, adapting to cultural differences, and building strong local connections. On March 13, our President, ?????? Nicolas Sauvage, will speak at Going Global: How CVCs Can Successfully Expand Into New Markets. He will join Nichola Bates (Boeing Global), Kendra Rauschenberger (Siemens Energy Ventures), Dong-Su Kim (LG Technology Ventures), and Maija Palmer (Global Corporate Venturing) to discuss the challenges and strategies behind international expansion for corporate venture capital. Register to explore how corporate investors approach new markets and create lasting impact: https://lnkd.in/gfiKezhK