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.