From Operator to Investor: Meet Luis Solana
You tend to meet two kinds of general partners in venture capital: the super-savvy investor looking for a differentiated asset class to provide diversification to their portfolio, and the tech maestro who’s trying to find and use the next Big, Shiny Thing to attract as many investors as possible. I am a different breed: a supply chain expert who has pivoted his supply chain focus from operating to investing - “been there, done that, is my secret sauce”
I’m an operator with 30 years of multicultural, multi-regional, multi-industry experience running highly-complex supply chains with global reach, and that experience has been a great teacher and mentor. After living and working through multiple operational transformations, crises, mergers, acquisitions, and divestitures, I’m no longer interested in the adrenaline-fueled “excitement” of supply chain operations.
Two things drive me now:
Supporting entrepreneurs incubating fantastic ideas to enable best in class supply chains.
Finding investors who understand that supply chain is integral to a high-impact, high-growth strategy.
A Vetted Partner for Entrepreneurs
As an operator, an advisor/consultant, and an investor, I’ve seen a lot of the supply chain “solutions” out there: the good, the bad, and the ugly. I’ve learned to recognize and cut through the noise and pinpoint the opportunities with the greatest potential.
To say the supply chain industry is growing is an understatement. Over the next 5 years, about a trillion dollars is projected to move into the supply chain space. There’s a lot of value to be added, and many opportunities to fuel that growth through tech innovation investments.
Many tools on the market try to replicate and solve problems from the past; that’s good, not great. I’m a lot more interested in the emerging, “forward-looking” tools and technology, and how their implementation could transform supply chain operations.
My venture capital fund helps entrepreneurs grow those burgeoning ideas into dynamic companies that add value for investors and operators. Driven leaders building innovative supply chain technology need a VC partner to compliment their skills, advise them on challenges, and coach them to achieve their goals. I’m looking for mutually-beneficial partnerships that move everyone forward.
A Multi-Industry Opportunity for Investors
The success and failure of supply chain operations impacts every company and every industry. Anything consumers, companies, and investment groups do has ramifications for the supply chain, and vice versa.
Whether it's adapting to a global socioeconomic crisis like COVID-19, or a significant change in how people conduct global trade, supply chain innovations are opportunities, and investors should take note.
Likewise, artificial intelligence (as a collaborator and as an agent), predictive analytics, robotics and automation, and other tech advancements, make supply chain an exciting place to invest. I leverage my experience to invest in companies using those technologies to help supply chain operators lead and succeed; if it helps supply chain leaders, it's worth conducting a thorough due diligence for potential investment, if not I just pass.
Technological shifts create opportunities to invest, and now is the time. Supply chain wasn’t always part of the C-Suite conversation, but effective leaders get it. Supply chain resilience is paramount for cutting costs and enabling revenue growth.
Investors don’t need copycats or false promises. They need a trusted partner to find the most relevant opportunities in the industry. I’m building that portfolio with a fund that cuts across all supply chain processes.
I work at multiple intersections of supply chain and investment, including angel investing, venture capital, and private equity. I’m well-positioned to work with investors ready to scale and innovate to create value and positive returns.
Looking for Value Creation? Let’s Connect.
My supply chain operations experience gives me a unique background as General Partner, and the thorough understanding that comes with it; I know that what works for Consumer Goods doesn’t necessarily work for Automotive or Industrial sector companies. Every partnership in my fund is built on unique strengths, opportunities, and ideas for success.
If you’re a supply chain entrepreneur, let’s discuss your value proposition. If you’re looking to invest, let’s make a plan to leverage supply chain growth to boost your portfolio. Book time with me, let's connect!
