In this episode, Jeppe Høier and Andreas Munk Holm sit down with Julien Fredonie, Head of Europe & Africa at Honda Xcelerator Ventures, for a deep dive into how one of the world’s most iconic manufacturing giants is strategically navigating venture capital across Europe.
They explore Honda’s global investment strategy, Julien’s views on Europe’s deeptech strengths, the nuanced role of corporate VC, and why Honda is bullish on European innovation—from climate tech to AI and advanced manufacturing.
This one’s a rare look into how a global player allocates capital, thinks about strategic alignment, and partners with both startups and emerging funds.
Here’s what’s covered:
01:10 Who is Julien Fredonie and what is Honda Xcelerator Ventures?
02:40 The 4 Strategic Pillars: Sustainability, Manufacturing, Mobility, AI
04:15 What "Deep Tech That Sells" Means to Honda
05:30 Strategic Projects Explained: POCs, JVs, and R&D Partnerships
07:45 Fund-of-Fund Activity: Why Honda Also Backs VCs
09:00 Structuring the CVC: The Role of Julien’s Team vs. Internal Honda R&D
11:30 What Startups Get from Honda (Beyond Capital)
13:45 Deep Tech DD: How Honda Approaches Validation from Inside & Outside
23:30 Where Europe Stands Out: Climate, Advanced Industry, AI
25:30 Gen 2 Climate Tech: From Environmental to Industrial Impact
26:15 The State of French VC and Deep Tech Momentum
📺 Watch the episode here or stream it on Spotify or Apple Podcasts—now with chapters for easy navigation 🎧
Where operational expertise and innovation work for you.
End-to-end coverage of Fund Admin, Tax, Accounting, Compliance, ESG, and more—enabling you to focus on what matters most: supporting visionaries and maximizing LP returns.
✍️ Show Notes
Honda Xcelerator Ventures: More Than Just a CVC
Julien opens the curtain on Honda’s European innovation arm—balancing direct investments, strategic projects, and fund-of-fund backing. With global reach and a hybrid model, their mission is to drive mutual value for both Honda and the startups they back.
The Deep Tech That Sells
Honda’s sweet spot? Founders with defensible IP, commercial traction, and the ambition to reshape legacy markets. Think sustainable aviation fuel, battery recycling, and advanced robotics. Julien explains how Honda identifies and works with these breakout players.
From Strategic Project to Strategic Capital
Unlike traditional VCs, Honda often builds relationships with startups years before investing—through R&D partnerships, joint development efforts, and pilot projects. It’s a “crawl, walk, run” strategy that aligns tech validation with long-term capital support.
VC, CVC, and Family Offices—The New Power Triangle
Julien shares how today’s strongest deeptech rounds are often powered by a mix of VCs, corporate investors, and next-gen family offices—many of whom are becoming increasingly sophisticated players in European tech.
Europe from the Inside Out
Despite operating globally, Julien is clear: Europe is rising. From climate tech to AI to manufacturing, the quality of European startups is on par—and in some sectors, ahead. What’s needed now is more capital, more coordination, and continued conviction.
Where Innovation Happens in Europe
From 10,000-person towns to industrial hubs, Europe’s innovation footprint is deeply decentralized. Julien points to the UK, Nordics, Germany, and France as hotbeds, especially for the next wave of industrial and climate breakthroughs.
🤗 Join the EUVC Community
Looking for niche, high-quality experiences that prioritize depth over breadth? Consider joining our community focused on delivering content tailored to the experienced VC. Here’s what you can look forward to as a member:
Exclusive Access & Discounts: Priority access to masterclasses with leading GPs & LPs, available on a first-come, first-served basis.
On-Demand Content: A platform with sessions you can access anytime, anywhere, complete with presentations, templates, and other resources.
Interactive AMAs: Engage directly with top GPs and LPs in exclusive small group sessions — entirely free for community members.
10.000 founders & investors meet up at TechBBQ, europe's leading startup event for entrepreneurs - use this exclusive link to get 20% off for 100 limited investor tickets.
Share this post