Minas Apelian: Innovation and Corporate Venturing: Insights from Minas Apelian of Saint-Gobain

In this podcast episode, we embark on a journey through the career of Minas Apelian, the retired Vice President of Internal and External Venturing at Saint-Gobain, a pioneering force in advanced materials production. 

Through his insights and experiences, Apelian sheds light on the vital role of teamwork, leadership in innovation and product development, corporate venturing, and strategies for forging partnerships with industry giants.

Join us in leveraging Apelian’s expertise and Saint-Gobain’s resources to thrive in the competitive market.

Key Takeaways

0:43- Introduction

2:20- Early Days as a Chemical Engineer at Mobil

5:44- The Importance of a Team and Becoming a Leader

9:57- Leading Innovation at JM Huber Corporation

12:15- Six Sigma Methodology for Improving Productivity

15:22- Innovation and Company Culture aren’t Separate

21:03- Working in R&D at Saint-Gobain

25:42- Transition to Corporate Venturing at Saint-Gobain

31:41- Advice for Startups Looking for Corporate Venture Funding

35:57- Challenges for Startups Partnering with Corporations

40:00- Partnership with CrowdComfort 

41:44- Challenges and Re-evaluating Services as a Startup

47:07- How to Get Noticed by a Corporate VC

51:47- Retirement and Involvement in Armenia