Experience is often the difference between success and failure in the high-stakes world of innovation and entrepreneurship.

At Innventure, we've taken this principle to heart by developing what I believe is one of Innventure’s key strategic differentiators: our team of serial CXOs.

Our model is designed to mitigate as much risk as possible to improve the odds of success. As a result, we aren’t betting on first-time entrepreneurs but on teams of individuals who have successfully taken many companies from inception to commercialization.

We're data-driven, letting the market guide us on how to best deliver solutions in a way that's readily acceptable. Then, we deploy our secret weapon: our “serial CXOs.” 

But what exactly is a serial CXO, and why are they so crucial in today's fast-paced business ecosystem? 

‍The Changing Face of Corporate America 

Let's confront a stark reality that's reshaping the business landscape: The lifespan of S&P 500 companies has plummeted from 61 years in 1958 to less than 18 years today, according to a study by McKinsey.This seismic shift isn't just a statistic—it's a wake-up call, underscoring the critical need for relentless innovation and agility in today's rapidly evolving market. 

The daunting question remains: How can you ensure your company doesn't become another casualty of disruption? 

Enter the Serial CXO

Our serial CXOs are seasoned professionals who have been in the C-suite of multiple startups, guiding them from inception to success. They've weathered economic downturns, adapted to technological shifts, and learned invaluable lessons along the way. Essentially, they're battle-tested entrepreneurs who bring a wealth of experience to each new company we launch.

Over the years, we’ve cultivated a diverse team of serial CXOs with expertise spanning a wide range of industries and technologies, from advanced materials and biotechnology to sustainable manufacturing and digital platforms. This diversity ensures we have the right leadership in place for any innovative company we create.  

Our serial CXOs are not just advisors or consultants; they're full-time Innventure employees who roll up their sleeves and dive into the trenches of our new companies. When we launch a new company, we deploy seasoned executives to lead it through its critical early stages.

While one might assume that in an age of AI and automation, seasoned executives are becoming less relevant, our experience at Innventure suggests the opposite. The expertise of our serial CXOs is more crucial than ever in navigating the complex world of corporate innovation and entrepreneurship.

Navigating Risk & Uncertainty  

In today's complex economic landscape, our serial CXOs draw on their experience to steer companies through turbulent times, making strategic decisions that balance short-term survival with long-term growth.  

One of the biggest risks in the startup world is the inexperience of first-time entrepreneurs. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics and Guidant Financial, about 20% of businesses fail within the first year, and 50% fail within the first five years.  We're not betting on first-time entrepreneurs gambling years of their lives, their best ideas, and their own capital on a system with such high failure rates.  

Our serial CXOs have seen it all before. They know the common pitfalls, the hidden obstacles, and the unexpected twists that can derail a promising opportunity. By leveraging this experience, we significantly reduce the risk of failure due to rookie mistakes.

Data-Driven Decision Making  

Another unique aspect of our serial CXOs is their commitment to data-driven decision-making. Unlike first-time founders who might be emotionally attached to their ideas, our executives approach each company objectively.  

One of the key challenges in innovation is what we call the "Founder's Deadly Embrace." Most inventor-founders invent what they're interested in with a very detailed, preconceived idea of how they want to take their technology to market. They're often emotionally attached to this vision, which can blind them to market realities.  

At Innventure, we avoid this pitfall. Since we're not the original inventors of the technology, we can approach each company we create with an objective lens. We're data-driven, letting the market tell us how to best deliver solutions in a way that's readily acceptable. This objectivity allows us to pivot quickly when needed, ensuring we're always aligned with real market demands.

The Innventure Strike Zone

Before we launch any new company, we focus on what we call our "strike zone." Our goal is to squeeze out as much risk as possible before we hit the go button.  

‍This process involves five key elements:

1.) Understanding Market Need

Unlike inventors who create technologies or businesses based on personal interest with the hope of finding buyers, we start with a clear understanding of market demand, which we obtain from our multi-national partners

2.) Matching Technology to Need

We couple market demand with technology specifically designed to address that need. We acquire or license these technologies, developed by our multinational partners. We benefit from the time and money that they have invested— time and money we don’t have to risk.

3.) Channel to the Market

Because our multinational partners understand the market requirements for the identified technologies, they often serve as a channel to the market to help catalyze adoption.

4.) Providing Capital Needs

Unlike many startups that are challenged with accessing capital, Innventure provides the funding for each of its operating companies thereby eliminating a material risk.

5.) Employing our Serial CXOs

As discussed, we can rely upon our team of experts to lead our operating companies from their early formation through to commercialization.

The Innventure Difference

What sets us apart from other asset classes is that we don't invest in other people's businesses. We develop these businesses from scratch, fund them, scale them, and operate them. At our core, we're owner-operators, not investors.

Building a company is one thing, but doing so in a short timeframe with a small yet nimble team is another challenge entirely. Our serial CXOs have the experience and depth of knowledge to build the right teams, implement scalable processes, and make the critical decisions that enable the potential for growth. They understand how to build the right teams, implement scalable processes, and make the critical decisions that enable explosive growth.

We understand that market dynamics are constantly evolving, and our ability to adapt is crucial. This experience is particularly valuable when we're working with breakthrough technologies sourced from our multinational partners. We need to move fast to capitalize on market opportunities, and our serial CXOs know how to accelerate growth without sacrificing stability or quality.

Navigating Complex Partnerships

A key part of our model at Innventure is our partnerships with multinational corporations. These relationships can be incredibly valuable, but they also require careful navigation. Our serial CXOs have the deep expertise and operational skills to manage these partnerships effectively, ensuring we maximize shared value while maintaining our autonomy and agility.

This agility allows us to capitalize on emerging opportunities swiftly, while our seasoned executives ensure we maintain operational stability and product quality throughout any transition. It's this balance of speed and reliability that enables us to drive sustainable growth in rapidly changing environments.

Capital Efficiency

Having been through the startup journey before, our serial CXOs understand the importance of capital efficiency. They know how to make every dollar count, focusing resources where they'll have the most impact. This expertise is crucial in ensuring we can fund each Innventure company through to profitability without excessive dilution or financial strain.

Building Strong Cultures

These serial CXOs excel at building strong, innovative cultures within our new Innventure companies. They understand that a company's culture can be its greatest asset or its biggest liability. By instilling the right values and practices from day one, they set each new company up for long-term success.

The impact of this approach has been profound. Since implementing our serial CXO model, we've seen a dramatic increase in the success rate of our Innventure companies. While the typical venture capital model might see success in two or three out of ten investments, we aim to succeed in the majority of our companies.

The Innventure Approach in Action

This mosaic of talent – from scientists and engineers to financial experts and seasoned entrepreneurs – creates a uniquely powerful engine for innovation. Innventure's team doesn't just bring ideas to market; we reimagine how breakthrough technologies can be systematically identified, developed, and scaled to create significant value and impact.

Our approach has been crucial to our success in turning corporate innovations into new businesses. Take PureCycle Technologies, for example. When we partnered with Procter & Gamble to commercialize their plastic recycling technology, we needed team members who could navigate the complex manufacturing world, understand the circular economy's intricacies, and communicate this innovation's value to a wide range of stakeholders.

By deploying one of our serial CXOs, to lead this new company when it launched in 2017, we took a promising recycling technology from Procter & Gamble and turned it into a publicly traded company valued at over a billion dollars in just a few years. This kind of rapid, high-growth scaling is a testament to the power of experienced leadership.

Building Teams for the Future

Building a team of corporate athletes isn't just about hiring for diverse skills. It's about fostering a culture where adaptability and continuous learning are highly valued. This kind of culture allows us to move quickly and decisively in the face of uncertainty.

Of course, assembling and maintaining a team of serial CXOs isn't easy. These highly sought-after individuals could easily find comfortable positions in established companies. But we've created an environment at Innventure that appeals to their entrepreneurial spirit and desire to build something meaningful.

It requires a different approach to recruitment, development, and leadership. We've found that traditional hiring methods often fall short when looking for this kind of versatility. Instead, we focus on assessing a candidate's learning agility, problem-solving skills, and ability to thrive in ambiguous situations.

The Road Ahead

As we look to the future, the role of our serial CXOs will likely become even more critical. The World Economic Forum predicts significant shifts in the division of labor between humans and machines by 2025. Our serial CXOs are well-positioned to help our new companies navigate this changing landscape.

In a world where change is constant, leaders who can quickly adapt, make informed decisions, and drive growth aren't just valuable—they are essential for long-term success. Our serial CXOs are not just building companies; they're helping shape the future of industries.

As we look to the future, our serial CXOs will continue to be a cornerstone of our strategy. They're not just executives; they're company builders, mentors, and innovators. They embody the entrepreneurial spirit that drives Innventure, combining the agility of a startup with the wisdom that only comes from experience.

Entrepreneurs and corporate leaders alike can learn an important lesson: in the world of innovation, experience can be a game-changer. As you face unprecedented challenges and opportunities, consider how the seasoned guidance of experienced leaders could be a key factor in steering toward success.

An important lesson for entrepreneurs is to not underestimate the value of experience. In the high-risk world of corporate startups and innovation, it is your most valuable asset.

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Bill Haskell is the CEO of Innventure, bringing over 30 years of experience in building and scaling technology companies across diverse sectors. A seasoned entrepreneur and executive, Bill has served as CEO, COO, and strategic planning executive for numerous ventures, and has been a director for more than a dozen public and private companies globally. His expertise spans company building, financial modeling, M&A advisory, and taking companies public through IPOs. Bill's unique approach combines deep industry knowledge with a talent for assembling high-performing teams, making him a sought-after leader in the world of corporate innovation and technology commercialization.

Ready to revolutionize your approach to innovation and talent management? Contact us today to learn about Innventure’s innovative approach to company creation.

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