Corporate Venturing: Recognition and Discovery of Investment Opportunities

From the perspective of Austrian economics, this paper develops a conceptual understanding of how corporate venture managers recognize and discover opportunities in a network environment. In an effort to create a better understanding of who is involved in process, this paper reports on the development path of an entrepreneurial opportunity of the Danish corporate venture capitalist, Danfoss A/S. This paper distinguishes itself from previous research done on entrepreneurial opportunities by creating a holistic and conceptual framework, which broadens and expands the perception of the market participants involved in recognition and discovery. Consequently the paper offers insight to a diversified group of actors who mix and match technological and market capabilities in a constant process of recognition and discovery.