Welcome back to the EUCVC Summit Talks, where we bring you candid conversations with Europe’s leading founders, corporate leaders, and investors shaping the future of venture collaboration.
In this session, Mette Hoberg Tønnesen, CEO of The Link, joins Jeppe Høier, EUVC Corporates, for a conversation moderated by Andreas Munk Holm. Together, they explore how corporate venture networks can outlive the 3.7-year average lifespan of CVCs, bridge the gap between startups and corporates, and unlock Europe’s full potential as an alternative to US and Chinese capital.
From translating corporate complexity for startups to tackling “startup theater” and making CVCs real value creators, this is a roadmap for corporates who want to build networks that actually last.
🎧 Here’s what’s covered
00:45 Why most CVCs only last 3.7 years — and how networks can change that.
01:40 The Link’s mission: making startups scale faster by bridging silos and translating corporate-speak.
03:00 Where corporates fumble: unclear pilots, wasted startup time, and overbearing “strategic” investors.
04:00 The classic value-adds — brand, expertise, assets, customers, data — and why most corporates should start small.
05:00 Venture = high school: why networks and rubbing shoulders matter more than PowerPoints.
06:00 Corporates must show up — at TechBBQ and startup events, not just closed-door investor tracks.
07:00 Early-stage CVC is hard: why late-stage corporates can wait, but seed/A needs sweat and trust.
08:00 Europe’s opportunity: corporates stepping up to keep startups from exiting to the US.
09:00 LP investing as a gateway: why corporates should back funds to tap networks and learn the game.
You can listen to the full conversation from the EUCVC Summit 2025 on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
✍️ Show Notes
The 3.7-Year Problem
On average, corporate venture arms survive just 3.7 years.
Jeppe Høier argues networks like The Link are crucial to make them last.
The Link’s Perspective
Built for startups, not corporates: goal is to make scaling easier.
Translation role: breaking down silos, clarifying what corporates can actually offer.
Where Corporates Fail
Wasting startup time with unclear pilots (“startup theater”).
Trying to direct startups too much as investors.
Opening doors without knowing what they want from the collaboration.
Value Creation Framework
Classic value-adds: brand, expertise, assets, customers, data.
Corporates should start with what’s easy (brand, expertise) before overpromising.
The Network Effect
Venture is like high school: it’s about networks, credibility, and showing up.
Corporates need to be at founder events, not just investor rooms.
Europe’s Opportunity
Too many startups exit to the US for lack of local options.
European corporates can be the alternative — if they engage seriously.
LP Investing as a Bridge
Corporates should explore LP positions in VC funds.
Lets them learn, tap networks, and gain credibility before going direct.
💡 One-liner takeaway: Corporate VC networks thrive when they stop wasting startup time, deliver clear value, and show up in the ecosystem — turning Europe’s corporates into a real alternative to US and Chinese capital.
