Why Traditional Insurance Companies Should Embrace Venture Studios: Insights from Mandalore Partners

The insurance industry, traditionally characterized by caution and risk aversion, is facing unprecedented challenges from technological advancements and changing consumer expectations. To remain competitive, insurance companies must innovate—and venture studios offer a compelling pathway.​

The Need for Innovation in Insurance

Emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence and blockchain, are disrupting traditional insurance models. Consumers now demand personalized, digital-first experiences, and new entrants are capitalizing on these trends. To keep pace, insurers must explore innovative solutions.​

Mandalore Partners provides a Venture Capital-as-a-Service (VCaaS) model that enables insurance companies to incubate startups focused on insurtech solutions. This approach allows insurers to experiment with new products and distribution channels without disrupting core operations.​

Real-World Applications: Success Stories

Several insurance companies have successfully engaged with venture studios:​

• AmFam Ventures: Developed by American Family Insurance, this venture studio focuses on insurtech innovations, providing both minority investments and majority ownership in startups to better serve stakeholders.

• ARK Venture Studio: Combining a venture studio, think tank, and venture fund, ARK builds insurance-enabled businesses to tackle systemic risks to people and the planet.

Strategic Advantages for Insurers

Engaging with a venture studio offers multiple benefits:​

• Accelerated Innovation: Rapid development of new products and services.​

• Risk Management: Controlled experimentation minimizes potential disruptions.

• New Revenue Streams: Venture studios allow exploration of adjacent business models.

• Future-Proofing: Adapting to tech shifts before they become industry standards.

For insurers looking to thrive in a fast-evolving landscape, venture studios represent not just a trend—but a strategic imperative.

From Paris to Singapore: Mandalore Partners' Cross-Border Approach to Venture Building

In an increasingly interconnected world, the ability to navigate diverse markets is crucial for startup success. Mandalore Partners leverages a cross-border approach to venture building, fostering innovation that transcends geographical boundaries.​

The Importance of Cross-Border Collaboration

Cross-border collaboration enables startups to tap into new markets, access diverse talent pools, and leverage varied regulatory environments. By understanding and adapting to different cultural and business contexts, venture studios can create solutions with global relevance.​

Mandalore Partners operates from Paris to Singapore, embodying this global perspective. Their partnerships, such as with Temasek's Menyala, highlight the benefits of cross-border collaboration in accessing new markets and talent pools.​

Real-World Applications: Success Stories

Several venture studios have successfully implemented cross-border strategies:​

• X, The Moonshot Factory: Formerly Google X, this venture studio focuses on ambitious projects with global impact, such as self-driving cars and delivery drones.

• FasterCapital: This venture studio emphasizes cross-border partnerships, enabling startups to scale across borders by aligning with overseas partners and tapping into diverse markets. 

Strategic Advantages of a Global Approach

Adopting a cross-border approach offers multiple benefits:​

• Market Diversification: Reducing dependency on a single market.​

• Talent Acquisition: Accessing a broader pool of skills and expertise.​

• Innovation Synergy: Combining diverse perspectives to foster creativity.​

• Regulatory Navigation: Understanding and leveraging different regulatory environments.​

The Future of Global Venture Building

As globalization continues to shape the business landscape, venture studios like Mandalore Partners are well-positioned to drive innovation that resonates across borders, fostering startups that are both locally grounded and globally scalable.​

Beyond Capital: How Mandalore Partners Drives Value Creation in Venture Studios

While capital investment is a cornerstone of startup development, the venture studio model offers a more holistic approach to value creation. By providing strategic guidance, operational support, and access to networks, venture studios like Mandalore Partners play a pivotal role in nurturing startups from inception to success.​

The Comprehensive Support of Venture Studios

Unlike traditional venture capital firms, venture studios are deeply involved in the day-to-day operations of startups. They assist in assembling founding teams, refining business models, and navigating market challenges. This hands-on approach ensures that startups are well-equipped to achieve product-market fit and scale effectively

Mandalore Partners exemplifies this model by offering a suite of services beyond funding. From strategic mentorship to market insights and talent acquisition, Mandalore ensures that each project is poised for success.​

Real-World Applications: Success Stories

Several venture studios have demonstrated the value of comprehensive support.
High Alpha: Combining company building with venture funding, High Alpha partners with corporations to bring ideas to market, providing resources and support needed for growth. 

• FutureSight: This venture studio focuses on forming new ventures, creating significant equity value through its operation as a co-founder, and providing strategic and operational support.

Strategic Advantages for Startups

Engaging with a venture studio offers multiple benefits:​

• Accelerated Development: Streamlined processes from ideation to execution.​

• Expertise Access: Guidance from seasoned entrepreneurs and industry experts.​

• Resource Optimization: Efficient allocation of resources and capital.​

• Network Leverage: Connections to potential partners, customers, and investors.

The Future of Value Creation

As the startup ecosystem becomes increasingly competitive, the comprehensive support offered by venture studios like Mandalore Partners will be instrumental in driving sustained growth and innovation.​

The Art of Venture Building: Lessons from Mandalore Partners in Healthcare Innovation

The healthcare sector is undergoing a transformative shift, driven by the need for patient-centric solutions and the integration of technology. Traditional models often struggle to keep pace with these demands, leading to the rise of venture studios as catalysts for innovation.​

Venture Studios: A New Paradigm in Healthcare

Venture studios systematically create startups by combining internal resources, entrepreneurial talent, and capital. In healthcare, this model enables the rapid development and deployment of solutions that address pressing challenges.​

Mandalore Partners exemplifies this approach, leveraging its Venture Capital-as-a-Service (VCaaS) model to collaborate with healthcare providers, payers, and tech innovators. By focusing on preventive care, telemedicine, and personalized treatment plans, Mandalore ensures that new healthcare solutions are both clinically effective and economically viable.​

Real-World Applications: Success Stories

Several venture studios have made significant strides in healthcare innovation:

• Redesign Health: This venture studio specializes in launching transformative healthcare companies, addressing systemic issues through innovative solutions. ​

• Terrarium: Partnered with Wellstar Health, Terrarium focuses on building companies and spinning them out, conducting proof-of-concepts and pilots to address major healthcare problems. 

• Atlantic Health System's Venture Studio: Part of a four-pronged approach to innovation, this studio supports new ideas and strategies from within, understanding that technology is a tool, not a solution.

Strategic Advantages for Healthcare

Adopting a venture studio approach offers multiple benefits:​

• Accelerated Innovation: Rapid development and testing of new ideas.​

• Risk Mitigation: Controlled experimentation minimizes disruptions.​

• Talent Acquisition: Access to innovative thinkers and specialized skills.​

• Market Expansion: Exploration of new markets and customer segments.​

The Future of Healthcare Innovation

As the healthcare landscape continues to evolve, venture studios like Mandalore Partners are at the forefront, driving innovation and ensuring that patient outcomes and operational efficiency go hand in hand.​

Navigating the New Frontier: How Venture Studios Are Reshaping Corporate Innovation

In today's rapidly evolving business landscape, traditional corporations face mounting pressure to innovate swiftly and effectively. The conventional methods of internal R&D and isolated innovation labs often fall short in delivering the agility and entrepreneurial spirit required to stay competitive. Enter the venture studio model—a transformative approach that's redefining corporate innovation.​

The Venture Studio Model: A Catalyst for Innovation

A venture studio, also known as a startup studio or venture builder, systematically creates startups by combining internal resources, entrepreneurial talent, and capital. Unlike traditional accelerators or incubators, venture studios take a hands-on approach, from ideation to execution, ensuring alignment with strategic corporate objectives.​

Mandalore Partners exemplifies this model through its Venture Capital-as-a-Service (VCaaS) approach. By partnering with corporations, especially in sectors like insurance and healthcare, Mandalore facilitates the development of innovative ventures that address specific industry challenges. This collaborative model allows companies to explore new business avenues without diverting focus from their core operations.​

Real-World Applications: Success Stories

Several corporations have embraced the venture studio model to drive innovation:​

• P&G Ventures: Procter & Gamble's venture studio focuses on creating new brands and products outside its traditional portfolio, leveraging internal expertise and external entrepreneurial talent.

• Redesign Health: This venture studio specializes in launching transformative healthcare companies, addressing systemic issues through innovative solutions.

• ARK Venture Studio: Combining a venture studio, think tank, and venture fund, ARK builds companies tackling systemic risks to people and the planet, including health and wellness challenges.

These examples underscore the versatility and effectiveness of the venture studio model across various industries.​

Strategic Advantages for Corporations

Adopting a venture studio approach offers multiple benefits:​

• Accelerated Innovation: By integrating entrepreneurial methodologies, corporations can rapidly develop and test new ideas.​

• Risk Mitigation: Venture studios allow for experimentation in a controlled environment, minimizing potential disruptions to core business operations.​

• Talent Acquisition: Engaging with startups provides access to a pool of innovative thinkers and specialized skills.​

• Market Expansion: Studios can explore new markets and customer segments, driving growth beyond traditional boundaries.​

The Future of Corporate Innovation

As industries continue to evolve, the venture studio model stands out as a robust framework for sustained innovation. By fostering a culture of entrepreneurship within corporate structures, companies can remain agile, competitive, and responsive to emerging trends.​

Menyala & le modèle Venture Studio : une nouvelle approche de l’innovation stratégique

Qu’est-ce qu’un Venture Studio ?

Un Venture Studio, ou startup studio, est une structure qui conçoit, développe et lance des startups de manière systématique. Contrairement à un incubateur ou à un fonds d’investissement traditionnel, il agit comme un cofondateur actif : il génère les idées, construit les équipes, fournit les ressources nécessaires (technologie, financement, marketing) et accompagne les projets de leur conception à leur lancement.​

L’objectif est de réduire l’incertitude liée à l’innovation et de maximiser les chances de succès des nouvelles entreprises.​

Menyala : le studio d’innovation lancé par Temasek

Basé à Singapour, Menyala est un Venture Studio fondé avec le soutien de Temasek, un important investisseur institutionnel asiatique. Sa mission est d’anticiper les grandes transitions technologiques et de construire des solutions innovantes.​

Parmi ses domaines d’intervention prioritaires :​menyala.com+11techinasia.com+11menyala.com+11

• Finance décentralisée et infrastructures numériques

• Cybersécurité et souveraineté technologique

• Transition énergétique et climat

• Web3 et innovations de rupture​

Menyala ne se contente pas d’identifier les tendances : il lance activement des startups, structure leur développement et les positionne sur des marchés globaux.​

Pourquoi ce modèle nous inspire chez Mandalore Partners ?

Chez Mandalore Partners, nous croyons en un modèle intégré de croissance : créer, investir et faire grandir des entreprises alignées avec les enjeux de demain.​

Le modèle Venture Studio, et en particulier celui de Menyala, incarne une vision proche de la nôtre :​

• Stratégie dès le départ : les idées sont testées, modélisées, ajustées.

• Exécution rigoureuse : les équipes disposent des bons outils, mentors et ressources.

• Connexion au monde réel : chaque startup est conçue pour répondre à un besoin réel du marché.

• Réduction des risques : les erreurs classiques du "from scratch" sont limitées grâce à la mutualisation des compétences.​

Une opportunité pour les grands groupes : innover hors cadre

Le Venture Studio est également un outil stratégique pour les grandes entreprises. Souvent, les initiatives d’intrapreneuriat peinent à dépasser les limites de l’organisation. Le Venture Studio offre un cadre indépendant, agile et orienté vers les résultats, tout en maintenant un lien fort avec l’entreprise mère.​

Menyala en est un exemple : il bénéficie de la vision à long terme de Temasek, tout en conservant une autonomie entrepreneuriale forte.​

February 2025 : Venture Studios: Driving Innovation and Facing Strategic Challenges

As the venture studio model continues to gain traction worldwide, new initiatives are emerging across industries, focusing on innovation in energy storage, healthtech, and pet care, while some face financial and strategic challenges. This article explores the latest developments shaping the venture studio ecosystem.

GenLab Launches Silicon Valley Venture Studio for Energy Storage Innovation

On February 11, 2025, GenLab Venture Studios announced the launch of a new venture studio in Silicon Valley aimed at driving innovation in energy storage and AI infrastructure. With artificial intelligence increasingly demanding energy-intensive processing, this initiative seeks to alleviate pressure on national power grids by developing next-generation storage solutions.

The studio, led by CTO Sarah Novotny, will focus on creating advanced grid resilience technologies that ensure energy efficiency and sustainability. Leveraging cutting-edge agentic AI, GenLab aims to enhance energy storage capabilities for data centers and industrial applications, positioning itself as a key player in the clean energy transition.

Company Ventures Unveils Terrarium Venture Studio to Support Healthtech Startups

On February 18, 2025, Company Ventures, in collaboration with innovation consultancy Cactus and Wellstar Health System, launched Terrarium, a new venture studio focused on incubating startups in the health technology sector.

Terrarium plans to support up to ten startups over the next three years, with an emphasis on market validation through research-driven development. The first startup emerging from this initiative, Rota Health, is dedicated to solving healthcare data interoperability issues by leveraging artificial intelligence to streamline medical data integration.

By providing mentorship, funding, and strategic partnerships, Terrarium aims to bridge gaps in healthcare innovation and accelerate the adoption of transformative digital health solutions.

Leap Venture Studio Announces Ninth Cohort for Pet Care Startups

Leap Venture Studio & Academy, a leading accelerator program for pet care startups, has announced its ninth cohort, providing six innovative companies with funding, mentorship, and business development support.

The program, running from February to May 2025, will conclude with a Demo Day in London. Participating startups, including BistroCat, Buddy Bites, Happy Howl, James & Ella, Oh Norman!, and Otis, are pioneering new approaches in pet wellness, nutrition, and AI-driven pet care solutions.

With increasing consumer demand for premium pet products and services, Leap Venture Studio continues to foster high-growth companies that redefine the pet industry.

Avandra Raises $17.75 Million to Advance Real-World Medical Data Utilization

Avandra, a federated network specializing in medical imaging and clinical data, has successfully secured $17.75 million in funding to expand its data-sharing platform. The round, co-led by Aegis Ventures and SpringRock Ventures, will enable Avandra to enhance its data infrastructure and form new partnerships with leading healthcare providers.

The company’s mission is to improve real-world data accessibility for medical researchers and biopharmaceutical companies, accelerating drug development and personalized medicine. By leveraging AI and machine learning, Avandra aims to bridge the gap between raw medical data and actionable insights, ultimately improving patient outcomes.

54 Collective to Shut Down African Venture Studio Operations

Despite the growing global momentum of venture studios, not all initiatives thrive. 54 Collective, formerly known as Founders Factory Africa, has announced the closure of its venture studio operations on the continent, citing strategic shifts and funding challenges.

The decision comes as the organization’s partnership with the Mastercard Foundation is set to end in April 2025. This shift marks a significant change in the African startup ecosystem, raising concerns about the sustainability of venture-backed innovation models in emerging markets.

As Africa continues to develop its entrepreneurial landscape, the closure of 54 Collective highlights the ongoing funding constraints that many venture studios face, emphasizing the need for sustainable financing models to support long-term startup growth.

NEC X Partners with Carbide Ventures to Accelerate Early-Stage Startups

Silicon Valley-based NEC X has announced a strategic partnership with Carbide Ventures to boost early-stage startups. This collaboration aims to provide emerging companies with crucial resources, industry expertise, and mentorship to help transform promising ideas into scalable businesses.

By leveraging NEC X’s technical expertise and Carbide Ventures’ experience in startup acceleration, the partnership seeks to drive innovation across multiple sectors, including AI, robotics, and deep tech. This initiative underscores the growing role of venture studios in bridging the gap between cutting-edge research and commercial success.

What are the key success factors of Venture Studios ?

Venture studios are transforming the startup ecosystem with their unique approach to company building—one that combines funding, hands-on support, and structured execution. A recent in-depth analysis from the Big Venture Studio Research 2024 (Authors: Maksim Malyy, PhD; Max Pog & Contributors) illuminates the key success factors in this model. We, at Mandalore Partners, analyzed the latest findings, revealing both the strengths and challenges of venture studios today.

In Short: 

Venture studios are redefining startup creation by combining funding, hands-on support, and structured execution. They typically invest $130,000 for 17% equity, positioning themselves between accelerators and VC funds. However, success is elusive, 76% of startups fail, and exits take over seven years on average. Key success factors include experienced founders, strategic use of Entrepreneurs in Residence (EIRs), and efficient MVP development. Studios that combine consulting services with startup-building and maintain lower equity stakes outperform pure-play models. Ultimately, studios follow two paths: stable, predictable growth or high-risk, disruptive innovation. The future of venture studios depends on mastering this balance.

A Standardized Model Focused on Startup Building

Modern venture studios operate under a distinct framework. Most follow a pure-play model, focusing exclusively on launching startups rather than diversifying into corporate partnerships or fund management. While typically sector-agnostic, they commonly operate in Health, B2B SaaS, Fintech, and Sustainability. The venture studio boom centers primarily in the US and Europe, with most adopting a single studio model—operating without an associated VC fund backing.

Venture Studios Invest Early for Meaningful Equity

Venture studios typically invest an average of $130,000 per startup for 17% equity, acting as active, early-stage investors. Their startups begin with a pre-seed valuation of $1.09 million, positioning them between accelerators and traditional venture capital funds. This investment level secures a meaningful stake while preserving room for future investors.

High Failure Rates and Long Exit Timelines Define the Game

Despite their support structure, venture studios face significant challenges. They see a 24% exit to 76% failure ratio—meaning three of four studio-backed startups fail. Let’s be precise on that point: success here was defined as any startup that did not go bankrupt.

Exits take time, averaging 7.11 years, typically through VC exit. The process is highly selective: studios review 200 ideas, develop 40 MVPs, yet only one reaches an exit - an exit was defined here as any occurrence of a liquidity event, quite a broad definition. Adding to these challenges is a negative valuation growth trend - obviously negative as 76% of startups fail - with startups losing an average of -$0.14 million per year in value, when VC funds are at -$0.12 million per year.

Support Services are common, but Market Execution is Key

Entrepreneurs in Residence are vital to venture studio success, contributing during the early ideation phase or during the creation phase. Leading studios offer comprehensive support services: advisors and go-to-market (GTM) assistance appear in 91% of studios, while operational and technical development support exists in more than 80%. Over 70% of studios provide access to first customers and financial resources. Yet despite these advantages, negative valuation growth indicates that strong operational support alone isn't sufficient—market execution remains crucial.

Hybrid Studios See Higher Survival Rates

Success varies significantly among venture studios. Those combining consulting or corporate services with startup-building achieve an impressive survival ratio, outperforming pure-play studios. Studios being vertical agnostic achieve a 19% success rate.

Scale significantly influences success. Studios launching between four and seven ventures yearly outperform those with lower output. At 30 ventures or more, success rates climb, highlighting the importance of operational experience and network effects. Equity structure also matters—studios keeping less than 20% equity achieve the highest success rates at 33%, likely by leaving adequate room for future investors.

Founder experience proves crucial. Studios recruiting founders with previous startup exits show better outcomes. Timing of EIR integration is also key—69% of studios with successful exits brought in EIRs during the creation phase, versus 46% among those without exits. This suggests that well-timed entrepreneurial leadership significantly impacts scaling and funding success.

Efficient MVP Development Increases Startup Survival

Product development efficiency strongly indicates success potential. Studios keeping MVP development costs under $50,000 achieve a 15% success rate, demonstrating lean development's advantages. Time of execution matters—MVPs launched within six to twelve months achieve a 21% success rate, higher than those launched in less than six months. Studios delivering fully functional, market-ready MVPs rather than prototypes reach 19% success rates, emphasizing the importance of quality execution.

Two Roads Diverge: Play It Safe or Go All In on Disruption

Research reveals two distinct strategic approaches. The first strategy prioritizes stable returns, focusing on predictable growth over high-risk bets. These studios target sustainable business creation through corporate focus or steady niche market growth. This approach offers lower but more predictable returns, suiting new studios without significant competitive advantages.

The second strategy embraces disruption and high-risk ventures, aiming to create breakthrough companies through cutting-edge technology, innovative business models, or exceptional talent. While offering potential for massive returns, this path carries a high failure rate and demands unique competitive advantages. Research suggests newcomers should start with the stable returns strategy before attempting disruptive startups.

The Future of Venture Studios Lies in Execution and Adaptation

The data presents clear insights into venture studio evolution and success factors. Despite high failure rates and valuation challenges, top performers follow consistent patterns. Studios that combine startup building with consulting services, maintain low equity stakes, develop MVPs efficiently, and integrate experienced founders strategically consistently outperform peers.

For investors and entrepreneurs, this research provides a clear framework for evaluating venture studio opportunities in 2025 and beyond. With strategic execution, venture studios can continue revolutionizing the startup ecosystem. The key question remains: who will master this model and shape the next generation of successful startups?