Corporate Venture Capital (CVC) has shifted from an experiment to an essential part of how innovation gets funded. What was once a side activity is now a cornerstone of the venture ecosystem.

In 2024, corporates participated in about a quarter of all global venture deals. The number has stayed consistent at 25–30% for nearly a decade, showing this is no longer a passing trend. The scale is also impressive: over 40% of global corporations now operate their own venture units to scout new technologies and markets.

The new models of CVC

CVCs don’t all look the same. Three models dominate today:

• Strategic: backing startups that align directly with the parent’s roadmap, often leading to partnerships or acquisitions.

• Financial: operating more like a traditional fund, prioritizing ROI and growth over strategic fit.

• Hybrid: balancing both goals, and increasingly the preferred approach.

This flexibility makes CVC an attractive option for startups. Beyond capital, they may gain distribution channels, product validation, and access to new markets.

Why it matters in 2025

CVC has become a stabilizing force in a volatile funding environment. Corporate venture units accounted for about one-third of all venture funding value in 2025. Even as overall VC slowed, corporates still closed 1,300+ U.S. deals in 2024. And with dozens of new CVC arms launched in the past year alone, participation is only growing.

For startups, the opportunity is bigger than ever: capital that also brings strategic insight, credibility, and distribution. For corporates, it’s a way to stay close to disruption. Done right, CVC is a win-win — marrying the agility of startups with the scale of enterprises.

At Wix Ventures, we take this hybrid approach—investing in early-stage startups that not only drive strong returns but also expand the future of creation, design, and AI-powered tools. By combining capital with Wix’s global platform and ecosystem, we help founders accelerate growth while shaping the next generation of digital innovation.

Written by Wix Ventures