SVB Financial Group (SVB), the parent company of California-based Silicon Valley Bank and SVB Capital, has hired Gerald Brady as a managing director to lead its entrepreneur services group and its work with corporate venture groups.
Mr Brady will oversee a team dedicated to supporting emerging technology and life science companies, by engaging founders and CEOs with relevant, high-impact programming and networking events to add significant value during their development stages.
In his new role, he will seek to maintain and develop relationships with corporate venture and corporate development groups, which the company believes will play an increasingly important role in the venture ecosystem in the future.
Prior to joining SVB, Mr Brady served as the director of investor relations for Siemens, where he was responsible for all aspects of investor communications in North America.
Harry Kellogg, vice chairman of Silicon Valley Bank, said: “Silicon Valley Bank exists to help entrepreneurs succeed. Mr. Brady brings great leadership to our team and relevant experience to the technology entrepreneurs and corporate investors we aim to help. They are the innovators who will help this country pull out of the current downturn by creating new companies and new jobs. We’re thrilled to be a part of their initiation and growth.
“We also believe corporate venture groups at larger companies are going to play an expanded role in the financing of early-stage companies. Corporations view their innovation investments as vital elements to their growth and a window into the disruptive technologies of the future. Corporate venture is also viewed by entrepreneurs as ‘smart money,’ since corporate investors are able to add significant value to a business throughout its life cycle.”
