What CMPC Ventures does

CMPC Ventures is the Santiago, Chile-based corporate venture capital and open innovation arm of CMPC, one of the world's largest pulp and paper producers controlled by the Matte family. Founded in 2019 and capitalized in 2023 with a USD 100 million fund of CMPC's own capital, the unit invests at Series Seed+ to Series B in deep-tech and bioeconomy startups across five verticals: forest productivity and management, value-added technologies from industrial side streams, core competitiveness improvements for CMPC's operations, new products from kraft pulp, and advanced bioproducts and wood-based solutions. It complements equity capital with a Venture Client open innovation program that allows startups to pilot technologies inside CMPC's industrial operations.

The portfolio comprises seven companies spanning alternative packaging (Pulpex's patented moulded pulp paper bottles, Woamy's mould-free biofoam, Boxia's corrugated e-commerce platform in Mexico), bio-based textiles (Nordic Bioproducts Group's Norratex fiber via AaltoCell technology), wood-based construction materials (Strong by Form's Woodflow additive manufacturing, Modvion's modular laminated-wood wind turbine towers), and CO2-to-materials biotechnology (Rubi's biocatalysis platform). CMPC Ventures operates from Santiago, Helsinki (co-located with Aalto University), and Germany, drawing on CMPC's 46 production plants, 22 commercial offices, cellulose supply chain, and century of forest-industry expertise as operational leverage for portfolio companies.

The revenue model is conventional CVC: returns are generated through equity appreciation, exits, and strategic value creation for CMPC's bioeconomy roadmap, with no product pricing or licensing tiers disclosed. Portfolio companies hold key patents (AaltoCell, Pulpex moulded-pulp bottle, Woodflow) and have collectively raised meaningful follow-on capital (Pulpex Series D ~USD 75M, Rubi USD 7.5M + USD 60M+ offtake, Strong by Form EUR 4.8M seed). The fund is governed by an Innovation Strategy Council including CMPC's CEO and board, and is sourced through 30 scouting partners across 10 countries, 40+ strategic alliances, and participation in 8 global innovation programs.

Name

CMPC Ventures

Legal name

CMPC Ventures

Website

https://cmpcventures.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2019

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

CMPC Ventures is the Santiago-based USD 100 million corporate venture capital arm of Chilean pulp and paper producer CMPC, investing at Series Seed+ to Series B in deep-tech and bioeconomy startups across packaging, bio-based textiles, wood-based construction, and CO2-to-materials, while offering portfolio companies access to CMPC's cellulose supply, 46 production plants, and global commercial network.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Corporate Venture Capital

NAICS

Portfolio Management and Investment Advice (523940)

SIC

Investment Advice (6282)

akta.pro primary industry

Corporate Venture Capital (CVC) (FSANAAAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Joint Venture CVC / Consortium Funds (Multi-corporate) (FSANAHAE), Corporate Venture Studios & Incubators (Build/launch ventures) (FSANAHAC)

Keywords

• Corporate venture capital
• Sustainable bioeconomy investment
• Biomaterials venture investing
• Innovation fund management
• Venture client programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Santiago

HQ country

Chile

HQ region

Latin America

Offices8 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Corporate Venture Capital Returns: CMPC Ventures generates returns through equity investments in portfolio companies. The fund is part of CMPC's growth strategy with a USD 100 million innovation fund deployed over 5–7 years across direct equity investments, academic collaborations, and corporate partnerships. Returns are realized through portfolio company growth, exits, and strategic value creation aligned with CMPC's bioeconomy goals.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

CMPC Ventures is a corporate venture capital fund that invests equity in early-to-mid-stage startups (Series Seed+ to Series B) developing sustainable bio-based technologies, including biomaterials, alternative packaging, green chemicals, CO2-to-materials processes, and wood-based solutions. It also operates a Venture Client open innovation program that allows startups to pilot technologies inside CMPC's industrial operations, providing capital, cellulose supply access, R&D collaboration, and a global commercial network across 12 countries.

Product overview

CMPC Ventures is the Innovation Fund of CMPC, operating as a Corporate Venture Capital (CVC) arm with a $100 million innovation fund for investing in startups and technologies aligned with forest productivity, value-added technologies from side streams, new products from Kraft pulp, and advanced bioproducts. The portfolio includes seven distinct companies: Rubi (CO2-to-textiles biocatalysis technology), Modvion (wooden wind turbine towers), Strong by Form (additive manufacturing with Woodflow technology), Pulpex (moulded paper bottles), Nordic Bioproducts Group (Norratex textile fibers), Boxia (corrugated cardboard e-commerce platform), and Woamy (bio-based packaging foams). Additionally, CMPC Ventures operates a Venture Client Program for open innovation piloting with startups in the pulp and paper industry.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• CMPC Ventures: The innovation fund of CMPC, catalyzing development of new sustainable businesses for the medium and long term

Products and services

• Venture Client Program

Quantifiable outcome

• Carbon reduction of 2,000 tonnes CO2 per 150-meter tower
• +7 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability6 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• DiageocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDiageo (owner of Johnnie Walker, Smirnoff, Guinness) co-founded Pulpex as a spin-off and has partnered with Pulpex to develop paper bottle solutions for its beverage brands. CMPC Ventures invested in Pulpex to support scaling this technology.
• Deutsche BahnminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrong by Form is developing a construction project with Deutsche Bahn, exploring applications of its Woodflow™ wood-based structural materials in railway infrastructure.
• BMW GroupminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrong by Form is exploring automotive applications with BMW Group through a close relationship, testing Woodflow™ materials for potential automotive structural components.
• VinciminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrong by Form is collaborating with French construction giant Vinci on a prototype for concrete moulds using Woodflow™ technology, exploring industrial applications of its sustainable wood composite.
• Boreal BioproductsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCMPC signed a collaboration agreement with Finnish startup Boreal Bioproducts to explore using CMPC's forest industry by-products in developing bio-based ingredients for the chemical and cosmetic industries, such as shampoos and sunscreens without fossil components.
• Secto DesignminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSecto Design partnered with Woamy and Paptic to deliver its Petite lamp product line in fully plastic-free packaging from February 2024. Woamy's biofoam replaced expanded polystyrene, and Paptic® material replaced plastic protective hoods.
• Paptic LtdminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPaptic Ltd developed Paptic®, a fiber-based recyclable material to replace plastics in packaging. Partnered with Woamy and Secto Design for the Petite lamp product line. Headquartered in Espoo, Finland, with materials delivered to over 50 countries.
• Cleantech ScandinaviaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCleantech Scandinavia is a network fostering clean technology ecosystems through collaborative relationships between innovators, investors, and markets. CMPC Ventures has participated as jury and panel members at events in Sweden, Germany, and Estonia. Member since 2023.
• Business SwedenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBusiness Sweden has been instrumental in integrating CMPC Ventures into the Nordic ecosystem and providing institutional support for understanding the Swedish innovation landscape. Collaboration formalized in 2025 through a Letter of Engagement (LOE) strengthening the long-term alliance.
• Finnish Forest Products Engineers' AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMembership strengthens collaboration and facilitates greater international cooperation. Other members include Suzano Finland, Afry, Metsä, Kemira, Stora Enso, UPM, VTT, and Valmet. CMPC Ventures enables R&D collaboration in Chile including an exchange program. Members since 2025.
• European Forest Institute (EFI)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEFI is an international organization headquartered in Finland with 30 member countries and 130 member organizations, promoting sustainable forest management through research, policy advice, networking, and dissemination. CMPC participates in EFI's Bioregions platform for circular forest bioeconomy in Europe.
• Dealflow.EUminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDealflow.EU is the largest European community connecting startups, investors, and large companies, funded by the EIC Fund (European Innovation Council) to increase visibility of EU-funded projects.
• ACVC (Asociación de Capital de Riesgo de Chile)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerACVC is the Chilean Private Equity & Venture Capital Association. CMPC Ventures participates in ACVC for deal flow, industry networking, and representing CMPC in the Chilean venture capital ecosystem.
• APEX BrasilminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAPEX Brasil promotes Brazilian exports and attracts foreign investment. CMPC Ventures partners with APEX Brasil for connections to the Brazilian market and innovation ecosystem.
• ABVCAPminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerABVCAP is the Brazilian Private Equity and Venture Capital Association. CMPC Ventures participates in ABVCAP for Latin American venture capital networking and deal flow.
• Export Development Canada (EDC)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEDC is Canada's export credit agency supporting Canadian companies' international growth. CMPC Ventures partners with EDC for trade development and international expansion support.

Scale indicators17 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Mondi: UK-listed global packaging and paper group with innovation focus on sustainable packaging, kraft paper, and circular economy solutions. A broad incumbent peer with strong overlap in sustainable packaging investment themes relevant to CMPC Ventures' portfolio.
• Sappi: South African-headquartered global pulp and paper group with active investment in biomaterials, dissolving pulp, and wood-fibre-based specialty products. A broad incumbent peer with overlapping investment areas in cellulose-based materials and bio-based chemistry.
• Diageo (sustainable packaging initiatives): Global spirits major that co-founded Pulpex and continues to drive sustainable packaging innovation. Comparable as a large consumer-brand corporate engaged in CVC-style partnerships for paper-based packaging technology relevant to CMPC Ventures' portfolio.
• Kimberly-Clark ventures: Global personal care company with CVC-style investment activity in sustainable materials, packaging innovation, and circular economy. Comparable as a major FMCG corporate strategic investor interested in fibre-based and bio-based materials similar to CMPC Ventures' focus.
• AB InBev (ZX Ventures / sustainability initiatives): Global beverage major with corporate venture arm (ZX Ventures) and major sustainability commitments driving investments in sustainable packaging and supply chain decarbonization. Comparable as a large CVC interested in Pulpex-like paper-bottle technology and circular packaging for FMCG.

Direct peers

• Stora Enso: Swedish-Finnish pulp and paper major with a sustainability-focused investment arm (Stora Enso Biofore) and venture activities targeting biomaterials, packaging, and wood-based construction. Directly comparable as a forest-industry CVC with overlapping investment verticals in cellulose-based materials, biomaterials, and circular economy solutions.
• Metsä Group / Metsä Spring: Finnish forest industry group with Metsä Spring as its innovation and venture arm investing in bioproducts, biomaterials, and wood-based innovations. Highly comparable in scale, scope, and investment focus (cellulosic textiles, bioproducts, wood-based solutions).
• Suzano Ventures: Brazilian eucalyptus pulp producer and the world's largest market pulp supplier, with a ventures arm focused on bioeconomy, novel materials, and decarbonization technologies. Directly comparable as a Latin American forestry CVC with overlapping themes in cellulose-based materials, sustainable packaging, and industrial biotech.
• UPM Biofuels / UPM Ventures: Finnish pulp, paper, and biofuels company with active investment and partnership activities in biochemicals, biomaterials, and sustainable forest products. Highly comparable as a European forest-industry CVC pursuing bioeconomy diversification similar to CMPC Ventures.

Regional players

• Klabin: Brazilian pulp and paper producer with growing innovation activities in sustainable packaging and circular economy. A regional (Latin American) peer with overlapping customer base in corrugated packaging and similar bioeconomy transition themes.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments5 records

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about CMPC Ventures