Dennis Clark

Investment Director

2022

Zeon Ventures invests in early stage startups developing technologies to make life on earth more sustainable, healthy and prosperous for all. Portfolio companies include: Aether Fuels, AM Batteries, Amogy, CENS Materials, Coreshell, Glyphic Bio, Inkbit, Mitra Chem, Syzygy Plasmonics, Solestial, TypeOne Energy, Verdagy and Visolis. Zeon Ventures is the venture capital arm of Zeon Corporation.

Advisor

2021

Senior Managing Director, Corporate Venturing and Open Innovation

2020 - 2021

* Led global team to source and execute strategic partnerships, equity investments, and M&A transactions in collaboration with Honda corporate headquarters and regional business units. Representative deals included minority investments in Helm AI , Modal, SES, and SoundHound. * Directed the global operation of Honda Xcelerator, an open innovation program to facilitate collaboration with early-stage startups and Honda business units. * Supported internal venture-building and incubation activities.

Managing Director, Strategic Venture Partnerships

2017 - 2020

Honda Innovations drives transformative collaboration within all areas of Honda by partnering with innovators of all shapes and sizes from startups to global brands to create cutting edge products and services.  Honda Innovations is based in Silicon Valley and operates globally.   * Spearheaded Honda's open innovation initiatives and strategic alliances with early stage startups, venture capital firms, and technology innovators in tech hubs globally.    * Established and scaled globally distributed team to identify and evaluate emerging technology partners that align with Honda objectives for strategic partnerships, investments, and pilots/POCs.    * Set strategic direction for Honda Xcelerator, an open innovation program to facilitate collaboration between early stage startups and Honda product teams.

Strategic Alliance Liaison (Lead)

2012 - 2017

Honda Silicon Valley Lab (HSVL) is the open innovation arm for Honda's global R&D operations. HSVL serves as the catalyst to accelerate Honda’s global information technology (IT) research and development (R&D). * Identified innovative startups for strategic investment and partnership opportunities. * Managed all aspects of the partnership cycle: due diligence, alignment, negotiation of agreements, and transfer to product group. * Formulated and executed open innovation initiatives and established Honda Xcelerator to drive collaboration with external innovators. * Built and maintained win-win relationships between Honda and a variety of corporate ecosystem partners.

Associate

2008 - 2012

DEFTA Partners is a boutique venture capital firm that invests in and nurtures early-stage IT start-up companies in the U.S., Japan, and emerging markets. * Supported fund management, operations and investor reporting for 3 early stage VC funds. * Conducted research and due diligence to identify potential investment opportunities. * Performed market research and helped to support firm's portfolio companies in the US and Japan. * Assisted Group Chairman and Director with business development and fundraising projects.

Graduate Research Fellow

2006 - 2008

• Conducted research on IT driven social innovation initiatives in S.E. Asia. • Led impact study on Better Factories in Cambodia, publishing policy recommendations. • Completed M.A. in development economics at Kumamoto Gakuen University. • Developed skills in field surveys, research, and policy analysis.

Administration and Finance Officer

2005 - 2005

Consultant position for the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to establish and operate the United Nations Pavilion at EXPO 2005. • Served as a liaison between UNESCO HQ and local staff, corporate sponsors, and Expo officials. • Co-managed 50 local staff and volunteers and helped to produce over 30 successful public events. • Negotiated agreements and maintained relationships with vendors. • Maintained accounts and payroll for the United Nations Pavilion at EXPO 2005 Aichi.

Corporate Actions Team

2002 - 2005

NikkoCititrust is a subsidiary of Citigroup established in Japan to provide trustee and custodial services to a broad range of institutional investors, including pension fund and investment trust managers. • Supported major project to reorganize and restructure Operations Department • Led project to design and implement MIS reporting system for Global Transaction Services • Served on Corporate Actions Team