Converting corporate R&D into viable and valuable businesses globally
We are the hands-on, trusted venture management partners that will take a venture from concept through to full implementation of a product or service
We have a 10 year track record of successfully maximising the value of R&D ventures for some of the world’s largest companies
How we work
Pilot Lite Ventures helps our corporate clients identify, de-risk, validate and launch early-stage technologies, new ventures and stranded intellectual property across developed and emerging channels and markets
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Pilot Lite Capital typically acquires and directly invests into Corporate stranded or uncommercialised IP, products and brands, predominantly with ethical and/or sustainable attributes, and develops these ventures into free-standing, revenue-generating businesses
Learn moreHow we help
Pilot Lite’s unique, proven approach to end to end validation and deployment
Scouting & Origination
(16 weeks)
We provide strategic scouting and origination of new business (product / technology or channel) or IP opportunities for future commercialization with a focus on building strategic and sustainable platforms.
The outcome is a set of 5 to 10 tangible investment opportunities that fit our client’s strategic objectives with a set of explicit steps to validate and action the investment and, where the opportunities satisfy our own investment criteria, the potential for direct funding collaboration between Pilot Lite and the client.
Validation
(10-12 weeks)
Our Pilot Lite commercialization team, working with our extensive network of subject matter experts, rigorously validates innovation opportunities through a uniquely commercial lens to assess their 'doability', sustainability and financial viability.
The outcome of this work is an immediately actionable plan to move the opportunity towards implementation and readiness for pilot launch. For opportunities that satisfy our own investment criteria, Pilot Lite can also participate through direct funding collaboration.
Business Readiness
(3-8 months)
Once validated, a period of preparation for launch is required. Pilot Lite’s team takes on accountability for a pilot launch of the opportunity, leveraging our capabilities and methodologies to accelerate and de-risk the opportunity in market. Our team addresses all the core work streams highlighted in Validation, firming up critical planned pathways, raw materials, supply, co-manufacture, sales, logistics and regulatory activities. We initiate and close all contracts in preparation for a green light to launch.
At the end of this stage, the opportunity is ready for an initial pilot launch in market to maximize learning prior to a full scale launch.
Launch
(3-24 months)
Pilot Lite deployment teams take new ventures into market to actively stress test all aspects of launch, including consumer response, supply chain performance and technology robustness. We directly managing all aspects in preparation for a scaled up effort.
This step de-risks the opportunity and accelerates subsequent scale up into the selected target markets.
Scale Up
(6 months)
In preparation for mass scale, where our corporate clients leverage their proven muscle to build businesses, Pilot Lite is deployed to test all partners across the supply chain and their ability to cope with geographic expansion.
Pilot Lite expects the next stage following scale-up to involve either the corporate parent re-absorbing the venture or spinning it out into a stand-alone business. Where the ventures satisfy our own investment criteria, Pilot Lite can also consider investment in such spin outs at this stage of development.
Funding Collaboration
At all stages of consideration, Pilot Lite, through its Capital division, can participate in co-investment R&D that fit our own rigorous investment criteria.
Whilst corporates often champion breakthrough innovation they often have difficulty diverting funds from legacy businesses to fledgling ventures and consequently starve them of critical capital. Therefore, in each of the above stages of consideration, should it be appropriate, Pilot Lite Capital has the ability to invest either alongside the client to become a co-investor and scale-up partner, or as an acquirer of stranded or uncommercialized projects or ventures.
Who we help
Case Study: Pilot Lite Group
Next-generation plaque removal and oral hygiene
Cutting edge hydrodynamic technology to deliver next-generation teeth cleaning and dental stain removal: a step change cleaning device for those with complex oral hygiene needs
News
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Plastics need no longer become waste
15 July 2020
PepsiCo's ambitious dream of a world "where plastics need no longer become waste," is one step closer to becoming reality with the creation of the first fully-recyclable PET-free paperbottle made from sustainably sourced pulp.
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Diageo & Pilot Lite launch Pulpex
13 July 2020
Diageo, makers of Johnnie Walker, Smirnoff and Guinness, has today announced a new partnership with Pilot Lite that has created the world’s first ever 100% PET free paper-based spirits bottle, made entirely from sustainably sourced wood. The bottle will debut with Johnnie Walker, the world’s number one Scotch Whisky, in early 2021.
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3 Reasons to Up Your E-Commerce Game
6 July 2020
Shelter-in-place orders issued during the global Covid-19 pandemic have caused a major shift in consumer purchasing behavior: as hospitality/food service and brick-and-mortar retail sales came to standstill, online purchases surged. Although it remains to be seen what will happen post-Covid, we know for certain is that ecommerce is a channel all corporates should be closely looking at—here are 3 reasons why.
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Brand Expert Remi Rasenberg joins PLV
3 July 2020
Remi Rasenberg, a brand consultant and former advertising / marketing exec at agencies such as Saatchi & Saatchi and BBH, has joined Pilot Lite Ventures as Creative and Marketing Director. During his career, he has helped launch multi-channel campaigns for some of the world’s most recognizable brands including Unilever, Diageo, Audi and Patek Philippe.
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About Us
Our core team is made up of professionals who combine proven best of class corporate, consultancy and entrepreneurial expertise, together with a wider pool of over 100 technology, geocentric and financial management professionals and subject matter experts worldwide. We engage with and challenge our customers’ organisations, which gives us unrivalled access, insight and relationships.
Meet the leadership team
Contact
If you would like to find out more about Pilot Lite or what we can do for your business, then call or email us and let's start a conversation.