Frederic Pampus recently joined MVP Factory as the Partner for Venture Building and Growth. With over 15 years of experience spanning strategy consulting, corporate venture capital, and innovation, Frederic brings a wealth of knowledge to his role. We sat down with him to discuss his decision to join MVP Factory, the evolving landscape of corporate venturing, and his vision for fostering innovation in a rapidly changing business environment.
Marie: You are considered a thought leader in the corporate venture scene – why did you ultimately decide to partner with MVP Factory?
Frederic: The decision to join MVP Factory was driven by several factors. My previous role as an independent consultant allowed me to work closely with decision-makers in leading companies, from DAX corporations to medium-sized businesses, helping them create and execute corporate venturing strategies.
However, while I could provide excellent support in handling strategic initiatives, my capacity as a one-man show was naturally limited when it came to large-scale projects and managing multiple initiatives simultaneously. So I set out to join an organization that offered those opportunities.
Which still holds true: I've often shared my belief that there is no single "best" venture builder. But just as there is the "right" one for specific projects or industries from a client perspective, there has been the right one for me personally, and that's MVP Factory.
Marie: Working at MVP Factory, what are you looking forward to?
Frederic: MVP Factory’s venture studio approach, which often includes small equity investments alongside product-building projects, makes it an excellent fit for my expertise in venture capital. We guide clients holistically through corporate venturing, helping them align their goals, identify pain points, and offer tailored solutions, rather than simply focusing on traditional product-building.
Additionally, the company’s combination of strong venture-building expertise, extensive track record, and partnership with Ness and KKR positions it uniquely for growth. This allows us to empower corporations to unlock transformative innovation by building scalable ventures and leveraging cutting-edge technology like GenAI, wherever they are in their innovation journey.
Marie: How do you believe corporate venturing has evolved, and what role does MVP Factory play in that transformation?
Frederic: Corporate venturing is shifting from isolated, one-off experiments to structured, scalable processes. Companies are realizing that maintaining their status quo isn’t enough to stay competitive. They need to actively build new products, experiment with innovative ideas, and leverage their existing assets in creative ways.
MVP Factory’s approach aligns perfectly with this evolution. We offer not just product development but comprehensive corporate venturing services. Thus, we are helping clients identify their goals, pain points, and risk tolerance, and then creating tailored solutions to meet those needs.
Marie: How do you see GenAI shaping the future of corporate venture building?
Frederic: GenAI, is at a turning point where it needs to demonstrate real value. In the context of corporate venture building, I see three critical roles:
- Leveraging corporate assets: Companies can use AI to unlock insights from decades of data, transforming it into actionable knowledge.
- Streamlining processes: AI tools can automate and speed up many traditionally manual processes, such as prototype development, dramatically improving efficiency.
- Building AI-driven ventures: The combination of corporate resources and GenAI technology allows us to create high-value, cutting-edge ventures with GenAI at the core and thus turn Gen AI POCs from cost to profit centers.
Marie: What advice would you give to companies hesitant about pursuing innovation?
Frederic: It’s important to recognize that companies are great at optimizing their current operations and driving incremental improvements. However, breakthrough innovations require a different mindset: one that’s open to risk and experimentation. If a company doesn’t pursue such innovation, others will and that means losing market relevance over time.
The key is to allocate resources thoughtfully. Not just money, but also management attention and strategic focus, to drive meaningful innovation. For this, creating a dedicated space for venturing, where experiments are encouraged and supported, is essential for long-term success.
Marie: What trends do you foresee shaping corporate venture building in 2025?
Frederic: Portfolio thinking will become more prevalent in corporate venture building, mirroring what’s been done in venture capital for decades. Companies will realize that it’s way more efficient to validate and scale ideas through a structured venture studio setup. By this, the ability to rapidly test and iterate multiple ideas will significantly improve the chances of success.
Additionally, the integration of AI will continue to reshape how ventures are ideated, validated, and built. Not just when it comes to using existing assets, but also increasing efficiency along the whole process. For example, tasks that once required extensive manual effort, like interviewing potential customers, can now be accelerated using AI-driven personas to achieve comparable results in a fraction of the time.
Marie: On a personal note, is there a book or resource that has significantly influenced your thinking?
Frederic: Call me boring, but to me the book The Innovator’s Dilemma remains incredibly relevant, even decades after its publication. It underscores that innovation is not just a technological challenge but a cultural one. Companies need to foster environments that encourage creative thinking and risk-taking to truly innovate.
Marie: What’s one piece of advice you carry with you throughout your career?
Frederic: It’s a people’s game. No matter how great your structures or deep your pockets are, it’s ultimately about bringing people together, aligning them toward a shared goal, and achieving success collectively.
Marie: And last but not least: Is there a passion besides your work?
Frederic: During summer you’ll find me in the Alps hiking or biking trails, in winter it’s all about ice hockey. As a fan, as a player, and as a coach for kids.
By the way, one of my favorite innovation quotes stems from the official greatest ice hockey player ever, Wayne Gretzky: “Skate to where the puck is going to be, not where it has been.” So, be more like Wayne. If you’re unsure how, we’re here for you.
Marie: That sounds fantastic. Thanks for the interview - great to have you on board.
Frederic: It was a pleasure. I look forward to the time ahead!
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