Dow Venture Capital
No summary available yet.
This isn't really a VC fund in the traditional sense - it's Dow Chemical's strategic checkbook with a venture capital facade. They've made 117 investments since 1994, but every single deal has to somehow benefit Dow's massive industrial empire. Think of them as corporate development with extra steps. The upside? They bring real industrial expertise, manufacturing scale, and can actually help you commercialize hard tech that requires serious operational know-how. The downside? Your startup better align perfectly with Dow's strategic priorities, or you're not even getting a meeting. They're not chasing unicorns or market returns like traditional VCs - they're shopping for technologies that make Dow's chemicals business more competitive.
- —Best for: Industrial tech startups needing manufacturing scale and materials science expertise
- —Watch out for: Strategic alignment requirements - they'll only invest if it helps Dow's core business
- —Known for: Patient capital, deep technical support, but very corporate decision-making process
Dow Venture Capital is focused on pursuing strategic investments in attractive start-up companies around the world that enable and accelerate Dow's business growth and value. It provides strategic funding and support to startups developing innovative technologies in materials science, chemicals, and sustainability.
The firm seeks to invest in seed-stage, early-stage, and later-stage companies in business products, business services, information technology, healthcare, and TMT sectors across the United States, Canada, Europe, and Japan. Based on recent portfolio evidence, they focus heavily on materials science, water treatment, chemical recycling, and industrial IoT solutions that directly benefit Dow's core business interests.
Previously served as Corporate Vice President of The Dow Chemical Company overseeing Dow Venture Capital, Global New Business Development and Global Technology Licensing. His time with the company has been spent in agricultural sciences business and included significant business development activities in biologics, healthy oils, and seeds and traits, with four and a half years in Asia as vice-president and managing director for Dow Chemical Japan. Now works at Grosvenor Food & AgTech after his Dow tenure.
Have a specific question about Dow Venture Capital?
Ask Bernie →