Marcel Kellermann’s Post

Today we have announced our plan to recruit a new CEO to lead Holiferm into the next stage of growth. I suspect that this will come as a surprise to many, so I wanted to set out my thoughts on our journey so far and what it means for the future of the business. We founded Holiferm in 2018 with a mission to manufacture holistically sustainable bioproducts at a value point at which they are affordable to everyone, and therefore eliminate the need for petrochemicals. That mission was then and is now a north star for everything we do. Most founders of venture-backed start-ups have similarly ambitious goals. They start on their journeys to apply their minds to making a change in the world that they believe is important. But sometimes, people can assume that the approach needed to lead the company in the early stages is the same as the later stages, or that being CEO is in itself part of what success requires and lose sight of the bigger picture. There is plenty of advice on how to avoid being replaced by the VCs that back them, as if the goal of the company is to provide a platform for the founder to be CEO. Much less public discussion is taking place about how and when founders should themselves decide to bring in a CEO in order to advance the mission. Holiferm is on a path to fulfil its mission in making biochemicals that have a superior value proposition to petrochemicals and I am incredibly proud of everything that has been achieved so far. In the early stages of building the company, the drive to get improbable things done quickly and messily and getting the technology to a point it can be commercialised, was the key requirement of the company. Now our first commercial scale facility is producing exceptionally well, and we are seeing rapid take-up in the market. But there’s so much more to be done. That is why I believe it’s time for me to focus on what I do best - driving technology development - and we need a CEO who can lead a multinational, well-financed public company. The best path for us now to achieve our full vision requires a CEO with long experience running a profitable and growing business, leading large-scale financing and laying the groundwork for an IPO. Adding such a leader will enable me to focus my efforts on technology and technology strategy – two critical ingredients for our mission, not to mention being what I am best at and what I most enjoy! I believe that identifying this opportunity early will lead to a much better outcome for the company, myself, and our team. I am grateful for all the support I have received in this from my colleagues and the Board, and am excited to find an incredible new colleague who can help us on the next stage of our journey. If that sounds like you, or someone you know, get in touch!

𝐁𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐒𝐞𝐭𝐮𝐩 𝐚𝐧 𝐀𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐅𝐮𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐫 𝐄𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐡 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐮𝐟𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐭: 𝐃𝐞𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐝 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭 Are you planning to set up an activated fuller earth plant and need a clear roadmap? Look no further! Our 𝒂𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝒇𝐮𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐫 𝒆𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐡 𝒑𝒍𝒂𝒏𝒕 𝒔𝒆𝒕𝒖𝒑 𝒓𝒆𝒑𝒐𝒓𝒕 provides all the critical insights you need to kickstart your journey, including: 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐡𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐃𝐞𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐬: Ideal location selection strategies Machinery and equipment requirements Raw material sourcing and cost analysis Utility planning for seamless operations 𝐁𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬: Financial projections and ROI analysis Customization based on local market dynamics Regulatory compliance guidance Whether you're an entrepreneur or an established business looking to expand, this report is your ultimate guide to efficient and profitable operations. Connect with us today for a personalized consultation or to learn more about our detailed project report offerings. 𝐂𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐤 𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐌𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐃𝐞𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐬: https://lnkd.in/g_8ZqTTf #Imarcgroup #business #managementconsulting #globalimpact #manufacturingplant #plantsetup #machinery #rawmaterials #costanalysis #revenuegrowth #productionprocess #latestnews #news #startups #innovation

How do AGV select companies and management? Both companies and management are evaluated very early on as we operate our own network, AGV Nordics. We meet with entrepreneurs daily at AGV's hub and at the networking events we organize. In other words, we usually know the management long before any investment discussion arises. AGV Invests as the first or one of the first external investors in a pre-seed or seed round where AGV's contribution is substantial and valuable to the companies. 🦾 If your company is in its early stages, get in touch with Felix Sandquist 📱 #allgenerationventures #proptech #tech #realestate

#exploration #innovation #growth It is almost impossible to see successful large companies #innovating. There are many reasons; including putting the right person to lead, opportunity size itself, resources and many more. Thats where an intruder comes in the changes the industry completely. Quote from Khosla Ventures: On focus vs exploration of options, individuals must be focused on their key priorities but separate people may be assigned to focus on small S-curve projects. Otherwise you sacrifice the future. Assign 5% of your marketcap each year to S-curve exploration but with completely separate people.

Kureha's Investment and Strategic Partnership with Claros Technologies, Inc. — MediaContacts.co — Kureha Corporation's subsidiary, Kureha #America #Inc has invested in US-based #startup Claros Technologies, Inc. at their #Series #B #round forming a strategic #partnership to commercialize the PFAS remediation #technology #platform originally developed by Claros. The partnership aims to accelerate the #development and scaling up of the PFAS #destruction #system positioning both companies as pioneers in the #industry and aligning with Kureha's #sustainability and #social #responsibility initiatives. HOUSTON, May #13 #2024 #Tokyo #Japan and #Houston #Texas May #10th 2024 – Kureha Corporation announced #today that its wholly-owned subsidiary Kureha America Inc. has #signed the Stock Purchase Agreement to invest in US-based startup Claros Technologies, Inc.

What advice would you give to entrepreneurs? 🎥 At Tech Tour Growth50 Europe, where 50 of the most promising tech companies in Europe were gathered, our partners at Bryan, Garnier & Co asked this question to investors and entrepreneurs. Here are some of the answers: "Major on content and develop really deep relationships." Anne M. Glover, CEO, Amadeus Capital Partners "Instead of really looking at the value of the company early on, rather look, how can you build up value with your investors and see this as a long term effort." Bernhard Mohr, Managing Director, Evonik Venture Capital “Go and get some fundamental understanding of the real world… not just understanding surface topics, but how the world functions.” Jussi Palola, CEO, Virta Ltd Find out the rest of the answers in the video! 👇 Bernhard Mohr, Vincent Gregoir, Anne M. Glover, Karim Engelmark Cassimjee, Jussi Palola, Julien Hodara, Farnaz Behroozi, Ph.D., Norman Girard Evonik Venture Capital, Junction Growth Investors, Amadeus Capital Partners, enginzyme, Virta Ltd, Libon, Huma, EfficientIP #growthmindset #TechTourGrowth50 #BryanGarnier #investor #investment #vc #venturecapital #cvc #fudning #tech #innovation #europe #techstartup #entrepreneur #entrepreneurship #founder #startup #unicorn #scaleup #investoradvice #advice #growth #mindset

Our very own Vincent Gregoir sat down with Bryan, Garnier & Co to discuss the question: "What advice would you give to entrepreneurs?" 🤔 Check out the video below to find out about his short answer, as well as the view of other industry leaders ⬇

Kureha's Investment and Strategic Partnership with Claros Technologies, Inc. — PRBuzz.co — Kureha Corporation's subsidiary, Kureha #America #Inc has invested in US-based #startup Claros Technologies, Inc. at their #Series #B #round forming a strategic #partnership to commercialize the PFAS remediation #technology #platform originally developed by Claros. The partnership aims to accelerate the #development and scaling up of the PFAS #destruction #system positioning both companies as pioneers in the #industry and aligning with Kureha's #sustainability and #social #responsibility initiatives. HOUSTON, May #13 #2024 #Tokyo #Japan and #Houston #Texas May #10th 2024 – Kureha Corporation announced #today that its wholly-owned subsidiary Kureha America Inc. has #signed the Stock Purchase Agreement to invest in US-based startup Claros Technologies, Inc.

The corporate is the body, the CVC is the transplant Brilliant definition by Jeppe Høier who left Maersk Growth, the logistic giant’s CVC in 2022 and is now venture partner at VC firms Antler and Upfind.vc. ➡ "A corporate is a body" “When I describe what is needed for corporate venturing to succeed, I describe the corporate as the human body”. The C-suite and the board is like a brain. The brain knows something is sub-optimal and needs changing, whether that is the need to adapt to a new technology, a new business model, or adjusting to some other kind of disruption. It needs a CVC, but an organism does not always welcome a new element. “I describe the corporate venturing unit, whether it’s clienting or investing, as an organ transplant – you’re putting something into the body that [was] not there. The immediate response from the body is: this is not invented here, it’s a bacteria, it needs to leave. It will fight it unless the head [says] I need to eat this medicine” . The metaphor illustrates the crucial nature of having buy-in from the upper level. Unless the central coordinating organ is on board with, and communicating about, the benefits of the “transplant”, it will reject it. #openinnovation #CVC #ventureclient Global Corporate Venturing Mind the Bridge

Can highly reccomend to tune in on this podcast if you want to learn how CVC setups should operate. Is is ESPECIALLY relevant for CEO’s and boards in large corporations.