Finding the North Star: The Balance Between Strategy and Returns
On the latest "Swimming with Allocators" episode, Deloitte Ventures Managing Director Jon Wolkin outlined the firm’s $150 million corporate venture strategy, which splits capital between direct investments and fund allocations in AI, future‑of‑work and health‑tech verticals. He emphasized the need for a clear “North Star” to steer long‑term value creation and to balance strategic objectives with financial returns. Wolkin also highlighted how corporations must act swiftly, provide strategic support beyond capital, and stay adaptable amid rapid technological change. Finally, he contrasted the robust Canadian venture ecosystem with its relatively low corporate‑venture participation compared to the United States.
Prep Time
The post uses the Batman‑versus‑Superman debate to illustrate a core venture‑capital truth: success hinges on preparation, not just capital or gadgets. Batman’s advantage comes from knowing his opponent and crafting precise counter‑measures; similarly, VCs must invest time to understand founders,...
The Wrong Kind of Urgency
The author observed that many founders and investors in San Francisco operate with a frantic sense of urgency, yet they cannot define a clear strategic direction. This urgency is borrowed from external timelines—such as funding rounds, competitor moves, and LP...