We are a global advisory firm turning strategy into real-world impact across venture, innovation, and system-level change.
Why U-Path?
Most organizations don’t struggle with ideas. They struggle to execute across capital, business units, and external partners.
That is where we work.
Whether supporting a corporate venture spinout, scaling a startup, or advising a Fortune 500 on venture strategy, our focus is the same:
turning ambition into execution — across capital, partnerships, and real markets.
We are u-path
A Global Network of Operators
We are operators, investors, and builders with real execution experience — from corporate venture and capital deployment to scaling ventures globally.
Our team includes former CxOs and venture leaders who operate at the intersection of corporates, startups, and capital.
We combine capital, execution, and ecosystem reach — from venture and partnerships to narrative and platform distribution.
Our network spans the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, connecting decision-makers across corporates, investors, and ecosystems.
Europe, USA
Philipp Willigmann
Founder & CEO
Corporate Venture & Strategic Capital
Ecosystem & Platform Building
Board Advisory & Partnerships
Mobility · Climate · Assistive Tech
Former Chief Strategy Officer and Head of Ventures at Vontier, where he built and deployed a $100M+ corporate venture platform. 20+ years across corporates and startups, advising boards and executive teams on venture, innovation, and capital allocation. Founder of U-Path and the Strategic Capital platform, a global platform connecting senior corporate leaders to drive collaboration, investment, and execution.
USA
Sam Abidi
Venture Advisor
Commercial Strategy & Enterprise Sales
GTM & Partnerships
Robotics, AI & Autonomy
Chief Commercial Officer with a track record of scaling robotics, AI, and autonomy businesses. Works with startups and corporates on go-to-market, enterprise sales, and strategic partnerships. Focused on turning complex technologies into real deployments with Fortune 500 customers.
Europe, USA
Sigune Choe
Venture Advisor
Fundraising & Capital Strategy
DeepTech Commercialization
Robotics · Space · Drones
Ecosystem Development
Entrepreneur and advisor with nearly two decades in deep-tech commercialization and financing. Works with startups and corporates on fundraising, growth strategy, and ecosystem partnerships. Focused on robotics, drones, space, and clean technologies across global markets.
Israel
Yaron Flint
Venture Advisor - ME & Europe
Venture Building & Growth Strategy
Strategic Partnerships
Industrial · Emerging Markets
Global business development and innovation leader with 20+ years across multinational corporates, consulting, and private equity. Works with organizations on venture building, partnerships, and growth strategy across industrial and emerging sectors. Brings a strong cross-cultural perspective across Europe and the Middle East.
Europe
Lars Graf
Venture Advisor & CTO Consultant
Fractional CTO & Product Leadership
Startup Scaling & Architecture
Board Advisory
Silicon Valley software entrepreneur with nearly four decades of experience building and scaling technology companies. Supports startups as fractional CTO and product leader, focusing on platform architecture, MVP development, and scaling engineering teams. Deep expertise in turning early-stage concepts into scalable products.
Europe
Sebastian Graf
CTO Consultant & Tech Due Diligence
Technical Due Diligence & Product Strategy
Climate Tech
AI · Robotics · Manufacturing
Technology strategist specializing in AI, robotics, and advanced manufacturing. Supports corporates and investors on technical due diligence and product strategy. Brings deep expertise in scaling complex hardware and software systems across industrial and climate tech applications.
Korea
Naia Jang
Global Accelerator & Ecosystem Lead
Global Market Expansion
Open Innovation & Accelerators
Cross-Border Ecosystems (Asia)
Operator at the intersection of startups, corporates, and global ecosystems. Designs and leads international accelerator and open innovation programs, with deep expertise in the Korean market. Focused on market entry, partnerships, and cross-border growth across Asia.
USA
Irina Lanina
Venture Advisor
Venture Capital & Fundraising
Growth & GTM Strategy
Life Science & Health Care
Cross-Border (US–Europe)
Venture advisor with 15+ years across Fortune Global 500 and early-stage investing. Works with founders on fundraising, investor positioning, and growth strategy. Focused on life sciences and healthcare, combining corporate discipline with hands-on execution.
USA & Japan
Dennis Liu
Venture Advisor & Operating Partner
Corporate Venture & Strategic Partnerships
Tech Scouting & Dealflow Access
DeepTech (AI · Robotics · Energy)
Cross-Border (US–Japan)
Former head of corporate development and CVC at Ford Motor Company in Silicon Valley. Works across startups and corporates to unlock partnerships, pilots, and strategic capital. Deep access to US–Japan innovation ecosystems across AI, robotics, energy, and mobility. Formerly led Ford’s Silicon Valley corporate development and CVC efforts. Advisor to Millennium’s New Horizons fund ($500M AUM), focused on AI, robotics, and deeptech
USA
Steve Schmith
Chief Marketing & Ecosystem Officer
Platform & Ecosystem Development
Corporate Engagement & Relationships
Narrative & Market Positioning
Former media and automotive industry leader operating at the intersection of corporate strategy, storytelling, and ecosystem building. Co-host of Inside CVC, engaging senior corporate leaders globally on venture, innovation, and strategic capital. Focused on building narrative, platforms, and partnerships that translate into visibility, access, and real opportunities.
Deep Listening - Co-Creation - Agile Execution
Our Approach
We don’t do consulting theater.
We work alongside our clients to deliver real outcomes.
Our approach is simple:
Deep understanding — we focus on the real problem, not just symptoms
Co-creation — we work directly with leadership teams
Execution focus — we stay involved through delivery, not just strategy
Sustainability
We focus on growth that is both commercially viable and creates real-world impact — from climate and mobility to care and inclusion.
Transformation
We work with leadership teams to drive change in practice — aligning strategy, teams, and execution to deliver results.
Long-term Partnerships
We stay involved through critical moments — from strategy to execution, scaling, and leadership transitions.
Ecosystem Building
We connect corporates, founders, investors, and public stakeholders to enable system-level innovation and collaboration.
Mission and Values
The Theory Behind U-Path
Our work is inspired by Otto Scharmer’s Theory U — a framework for transformation based on deep understanding, intentional action, and execution.
We guide organizations from insight to action — and from strategy to lasting change.
Execution over theory
strategy only matters if it works
Long-term partnerships
we stay through critical moments
System-level thinking
real change happens across ecosystems.
Positive impact
we focus on areas that improve how people live and work
Let’s Build What’s Next
If you’re working on venture, innovation, or transformation — we’d be happy to connect.
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