Ford Motor

Ford Motor Company, a global automotive leader, engages in strategic investments primarily aimed at advancing its core business and future mobility initiatives, rather than operating as a conventional venture capital firm. Established in 2016, Ford Smart Mobility LLC was a key vehicle for these early strategic plays, focusing on emerging transportation solutions and technologies. The company's investment strategy is deeply integrated with its long-term vision for electric vehicles, autonomous driving, and connected services, seeking to acquire or partner with companies that can accelerate its technological capabilities and market reach.

Historically, Ford has made significant strategic bets, often involving substantial capital commitments or outright acquisitions. A prominent example was its initial $1 billion investment in Argo AI in 2017, a pivotal move to develop autonomous driving technology, though this venture was later wound down. Ford also ventured into mobility services through acquisitions like the scooter company Spin, acquired for an estimated $100 million in 2018, and the shuttle service Chariot, which was acquired for an estimated $65 million. These investments underscored Ford's intent to explore new revenue streams beyond traditional vehicle sales.

More recently, Ford's investment focus has shifted towards securing critical technologies and supply chains essential for its electric vehicle transition. This includes participating in large funding rounds for companies specializing in battery technology and recycling. For instance, Ford participated in Solid Power's $130 million Series B round, a developer of solid-state batteries, and joined the $700 million Series C round for Redwood Materials, a battery recycling startup. These investments highlight Ford's commitment to building a sustainable and robust EV ecosystem. Given this strategic, often large-scale, and opportunistic investment approach, Ford does not operate with typical venture capital "check size" ranges, making it challenging to define a standard minimum or maximum initial investment.