360 Years of Innovation — How Minas Apelian Led Startup Thinking Inside a Global Giant
In this episode of the [A] Growth Ventures Podcast, Hamlet Azarian sat down with Minas Apelian, a corporate venturing expert who spent a decade driving innovation at Saint-Gobain — one of the world’s oldest and largest materials companies.
Starting his career as a chemical engineer, Minas eventually led Nova by Saint-Gobain, where he built a global corporate venture team investing in construction tech, proptech, and sustainability innovations.
This episode offers powerful lessons on balancing the needs of massive core businesses while nurturing the next wave of startups — a masterclass for founders, innovators, and anyone navigating the future of industrial tech.
What We Discussed with Minas Apelian
Engineering Grit Turned Leadership Wisdom
Minas shares how early technical roles taught him the importance of humility, collaboration, and the reality that no one succeeds alone — lessons that shaped his leadership philosophy.
Corporate Innovation Must Fit (and Change) Culture
Driving innovation inside a giant isn’t about fighting the system — it’s about subtly molding it, finding champions, and giving new ideas just enough space without destabilizing core operations.
Leaders Must Commit to Long-Term Innovation
Transformative change takes years. Leaders need patience, a clear vision, and a willingness to invest in innovation even when immediate returns aren’t obvious.
The Dual Value of Corporate Venture Capital
Unlike traditional VCs, strategic investors can provide startups not just with capital — but also distribution channels, customer insights, and deep technical expertise.
Why Win-Win Partnerships Matter
Minas explains how truly successful startup-corporate relationships are based on mutual benefit — not control — and why flexibility matters as startups pivot and grow.
Case Study: How CrowdComfort Pivoted and Thrived
Learn how a Saint-Gobain-backed startup survived the pandemic, doubled revenue, and evolved beyond its original model — with Nova supporting them every step of the way.
Final Thoughts:
Minas Apelian reminds us: sustainable innovation inside massive companies isn’t about rebellion — it’s about respecting the core while quietly building the future.
True transformation demands patience, collaboration, and the courage to nurture bold ideas even when the payoff is years away.
Key Takeaways
00:02:00 – Lessons from early engineering roles
00:07:30 – Balancing innovation with core business
00:16:00 – How culture determines innovation success
00:26:00 – Evolution of Nova by Saint-Gobain
00:38:00 – Realities of corporate-startup partnerships
00:43:30 – The CrowdComfort pivot success story
00:52:00 – Why patience is key for both startups and corporates
Connect with Minas Apelian
You can find Minas on LinkedIn.
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