These 7 Big Companies Also Fancy Themselves VCs From Campbell Soup Company to 7-Eleven, corporate entities are getting into the venture capital game.
By Nina Zipkin
Andreesen Horowitz and Kleiner Perkins may get a lot of press coverage, but investing isn't only for venture capital firms in Silicon Valley.
Over the past several years, in a bid to stay on top of developments in industries such as food, agriculture, consumer products, education and more, a number of large companies are trying their hands at venture capital.
1. Campbell Soup Company
Last month, Campbell Soup announced a $125 million venture capital fund called Acre Venture Partners, which will invest in food startups. Previously, Campbell's only investment was in Juicero, a buzzy company that's developing new technology to make fresh pressed juice.
2. Sesame Workshop
In February, Sesame Workshop, a nonprofit that produces educational children's shows including Sesame Street, also rolled out its own venture capital arm. Called Sesame Ventures, the fund is looking to invest in tech companies that share its vision and want to "break new ground in the education, health and social welfare for kids."
3. JetBlue
The 16-year-old airline launched JetBlue Technology Ventures in February, a fund that will "invest in, incubate and partner with early stage startups at the intersection of technology, travel and hospitality." The company's new, Silicon Valley-based VC arm will be run by Bonny Simi, a JetBlue pilot and a graduate of Stanford's Business and Engineering schools.
4. General Mills
Last year, General Mills launched its own venture capital fund through CircleUp, a marketplace that connects entrepreneurs and investors. Called 301 Inc., the fund will partner with consumer food brands on the rise. Prior to the roll out of 301 Inc., the company had only invested in Beyond Meat, a startup developing plant-based protein products that mimic the texture and taste of meat.
5. Walgreens
The retailer started its VC arm, Well Ventures, back in 2009. The fund aims to develop and partner with companies working in the health, beauty and technology industries. Well Ventures portfolio includes companies such as Aviary, a photo editing app, and Propeller Health, an app that helps patients with asthma monitor their symptoms.
6. 7-Eleven
In 2013, the chain of stores best known for Big Gulps and questionable hot food options got into the VC arena with 7-Ventures.
The fund is looking to invest in "consumer facing technologies that complement 7-Eleven's core business of providing customers with convenient products and services," 7-Eleven explains on its website. "We are looking for equity and business partnerships that help reinvent our space, and we are willing to use our stores as a laboratory and instant feedback loop."
7. Monsanto
Controversial agriculture and biotech company Monsanto launched Monsanto Growth Ventures in 2012. In January, the company released information about its investment portfolio, which includes companies in the fields of "agricultural productivity, digital agriculture and biologicals.
