This fall, I stepped into an exciting new role, heading Operations for Central Europe at Combient Foundry. Joining this team represents a continuation of my journey in the venture client space, a field I have been deeply passionate about since its inception.
My professional path has been defined by a passion for bridging the gap between corporations and startups. It all began at the BMW Startup Garage, where I was part of the team that co-created the Venture Client Model.
The model proved so successful that it led to the founding of 27pilots, where we extended the Venture Client concept to leading companies like Bosch, BSH, Holcim, and the Otto Group. These experiences gave me unique insights into adapting the model across diverse industries and organizations.
Curious to understand the other side of the equation, I joined the Y-Combinator-backed B2B startup Planet A Foods from its inception. During this time, I had the firsthand experience of being part of a team that guided the company through Y-Combinator’s program, contributed to securing Series A funding, supported the establishment of a production facility in the Czech Republic, grew the team to over 50 people, and collaborated with corporates as both a supplier and recipient of corporate venture capital.
These experiences gave me a holistic perspective on the venture ecosystem—from the corporate boardroom to the entrepreneurial trenches.
When I first learned about Combient Foundry’s unique Venture Alliance, I was immediately intrigued. The concept of a network of corporates collaborating on shared challenges struck a chord with me. After two days at the Combient Foundry office, asking questions and engaging with the team, I knew this was where I could make a great impact.
Across industries, corporations face remarkably similar challenges, from supply chain optimization to digital transformation. However, tackling these issues in isolation often leads to inefficiencies. The Venture Alliance approach flips this script, fostering real collaboration between non-competing companies. It’s not about occasional roundtable discussions but about regular, hands-on exchanges of insights, strategies, and operational methods.
This level of collaboration unlocks new possibilities: shared pilot projects, methodical best-practice sharing, and strategic alignment across industries. It’s an approach that creates value not just for individual organizations but for the entire ecosystem.
The Venture Client Model, combined with the Alliance approach, has the potential to drive fast, tangible business outcomes while fostering cultural and strategic change within organizations.
At its core, Combient Foundry embodies the idea that collaboration isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s a necessity in today’s dynamic world. The courage to share insights, pool resources, and work collectively ensures better outcomes than any company could achieve alone.
I am inspired by the strength of the Combient Foundry community and the transformative impact we can achieve together. The road ahead won’t be without challenges, but I believe in the power of collaboration to overcome them.
To anyone passionate about innovation and shaping the future, I invite you to join us. Together, we can turn ambitious goals into reality and build solutions that will make a lasting impact—for businesses, industries, and generations to come.
Ana Carolina Alex
Head of Operations Central Europe
