A glimpse inside BHP Ventures' bets on the future of mining
While many Australian corporates have struggled with VC, the $200 billion resources giant is generating returns through its bets on critical minerals, decarbonisation and AI-enabled mining.
Corporate venture capital has been a graveyard for some well known Australian businesses. But for a multinational miner looking beyond its core operations and to stay abreast of the technologies shaping its future, it's a bet that can pay off.
That seems to be the case for BHP Ventures which says it has delivered returns to its parent company through successful exits after just five years in operation.
Speaking to Capital Brief, BHP Ventures vice-president Laurel Buckner said the group was established as “the corporate venture capital unit of BHP”, with a mandate to back technologies that align directly with the company’s long-term priorities.
"Our goals really align directly with the business," she said. "We invest in breakthrough technologies that are shaping the future of BHP and the global resources industry."
