Verizon Ventures
Verizon Ventures is the corporate venture capital arm of Verizon Communications (NYSE: VZ), funding early-stage technology companies and providing strategic access to its 5G, fiber, MEC, and IoT platform from Basking Ridge, NJ.
- Company typePublic
- Founded2000
- HeadquartersBasking Ridge, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Verizon Ventures does
Verizon Ventures is the corporate venture capital arm of Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE: VZ), a publicly traded US telecommunications carrier. The unit deploys strategic venture investments into early-stage technology companies and provides portfolio access to Verizon's network, platform, and innovation resources. The firm was founded in 1990, is headquartered in Basking Ridge, New Jersey, and operates as a small unit of 11-50 employees within the parent organization. As a CVC, it earns revenue through licensing and royalty mechanisms tied to portfolio outcomes, rather than through direct product sales.
The portfolio benefits from, and is guided by, Verizon's underlying technology platform: the RootMetrics #1-ranked nationwide 5G network, Fios fiber optic broadband, Multi-Access Edge Compute (MEC) infrastructure, and IoT platforms. Verizon's Innovation Labs provides the CVC's portfolio companies with R&D support, Labs-as-a-Service, Enterprise Workshops, and an API Early Access Program, effectively positioning Verizon Ventures as a platform CVC rather than a purely financial investor. Notable strategic partnerships disclosed include co-development work with the NFL (in-game decision support), Formula 1 (edge-compute-enabled racing operations), and Lockheed Martin (aerospace ISR capabilities).
At the parent level, Verizon Communications operates a horizontal business model spanning Consumer (Simplicity Plan wireless, Fios home internet/TV, prepaid, accessories), Business (SMB to enterprise connectivity, managed security, IoT), Government/Public Safety, and Technology Partners/Developers. Revenue is generated primarily through subscription-based wireless and broadband services, with hardware sales as a secondary stream. Distribution combines retail stores, verizon.com e-commerce, dedicated enterprise field sales, inside sales, channel partners, and wholesale relationships. As the venture and innovation arm embedded in this scale platform, Verizon Ventures' mandate is to identify and back external technology providers whose offerings extend or complement Verizon's network, 5G, MEC, and IoT roadmap.
Verizon Ventures firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Verizon Ventures
- Legal name
- Verizon Communications Inc.
- Website
- https://verizon.com
- Company type
- Public
- Founded year
- 2000
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Verizon Ventures is the corporate venture capital arm of Verizon Communications (NYSE: VZ), funding early-stage technology companies and providing strategic access to its 5G, fiber, MEC, and IoT platform from Basking Ridge, NJ.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Verizon Ventures industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Corporate Venture Capital
- NAICS
- Portfolio Management and Investment Advice (523940), All Other Financial Investment Activities (52399)
- SIC
- Investment Advice (6282)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Corporate Innovation & Technology Scouting Units (with investment mandate) (FSANAHAI)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Corporate Strategic Partnership & Ecosystem Investment Arms (FSANAHAF), Corporate M&A / Venture Build-to-Buy Programs (Acqui-hire, option-to-acquire) (FSANAHAG)
Keywords
Where Verizon Ventures is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Basking Ridge
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices5 records
Markets served
Verizon Ventures business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Wireless Services: Mobile phone plans including unlimited plans, device financing, and add-on services
- Home Internet & TV: Fios broadband internet and television services, home phone
- Device Sales: Smartphones, tablets, smartwatches, accessories sold outright or via installment plans
- Business Solutions: Enterprise connectivity, managed security, IoT solutions, and professional services for business customers
- Verizon Ventures Investment: Strategic venture investments in technology companies aligned with Verizon's strategic objectives
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Monthly | Simplicity Plan - Unlimited mobile starting at $30/month per line |
| Subscription | Monthly | Home Internet starting at $35/month |
| Subscription | Monthly | Device pricing with trade-in and financing options |
| Subscription | Monthly | Military, First Responder, Nurse, Teacher, Student discounts |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels5 records
Verizon Ventures product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Verizon Ventures is the corporate venture capital arm of Verizon Communications Inc., making strategic venture investments in early-stage technology companies aligned with Verizon's strategic priorities in 5G, IoT, Multi-Access Edge Compute (MEC), broadband, and connected device ecosystems. It provides funding and strategic resources to portfolio companies to support innovation in telecommunications-adjacent technologies.
Product overview
Verizon offers a telecommunications platform providing mobile wireless services (Simplicity Plan with unlimited data options), residential broadband (Fios fiber internet and TV), and connected device ecosystems. The product portfolio centers on the Simplicity Plan as the core mobile offering, complemented by Fios home internet services. Supporting products include Verizon Cloud for cloud storage with facial recognition features, Gizmo for family location and safety tracking, Care Smart for caregiver monitoring with fall detection, and Verizon Family for parental controls and family device management. The company also offers Verizon One as a mobile and home service bundle, along with prepaid options.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Fios: Fiber-optic television, internet, and telephone services for residential customers
- Visible
- TracFone
- Gizmo
- Verizon Connect
- Hum
- Verizon Innovative Learning
Products and services
- Verizon Ventures Strategic Investments
Quantifiable outcome
- RootMetrics #1 ranking for network reliability (2H 2025)
Companies that use Verizon Ventures
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles1 record
Verizon Ventures technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Verizon Ventures partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Six partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.
- NFLflagshipVerizon Innovation Labs partnered with NFL to improve game time decisions through technology collaboration, providing enhanced connectivity and technology solutions for professional football operations.
- Formula 1 (F1)flagshipVerizon Innovation Labs collaborated with Formula 1 racing to upgrade racing operations through advanced connectivity and edge computing technologies.
- Lockheed MartincoreInnovation Labs partnership with Lockheed Martin to develop ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance) capabilities for aerospace applications using Verizon's network technology.
- Viiz CommunicationscoreViiz Communications provides professional monitoring services for Verizon's Get Help features in Care Smart and Verizon Family apps, including fall detection assistance.
- The Valuable 500minorVerizon is a member of The Valuable 500 initiative to drive innovation for inclusion of people with disabilities.
- Be My EyesminorVisual support service partnership for TracFone customers, providing live video call support through the Be My Eyes app to assist customers with device setup and troubleshooting.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Verizon Ventures competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Google Ventures (GV): Alphabet's venture arm with a much larger fund and broader tech mandate. Comparable in its strategic-CVC roots and operational support model, though with substantially greater scale and a non-telecom focus.
- Microsoft for Startups / M12: Corporate venture arm of Microsoft investing in enterprise and AI software. Comparable in CVC operating model and scale, though focused on cloud and software rather than telecom-specific infrastructure.
- Samsung NEXT: Strategic investment and innovation arm of Samsung focusing on AI, IoT, and next-generation computing. Comparable as a corporate-led venture platform backing technologies adjacent to a parent's core hardware/connectivity roadmap.
- Qualcomm Ventures: Strategic investment arm of Qualcomm investing in 5G, IoT, AI, and automotive. Comparable to Verizon Ventures as a connectivity-ecosystem CVC with deep technical alignment to wireless and edge computing themes.
- Intel Capital: Long-running strategic CVC of Intel Corporation investing in deep tech, semiconductors, and enterprise software. Comparable as an established CVC that uses strategic capital to source innovation for a large technology parent.
- Cisco Investments: Corporate venture and M&A arm of Cisco Systems backing networking, security, and enterprise infrastructure. Comparable as an established CVC using strategic capital to shape a connectivity-and-enterprise ecosystem.
Direct peers
- Comcast Ventures: Corporate venture arm of Comcast Corporation investing in connectivity, media, and consumer technology. Directly comparable to Verizon Ventures as a US telecom/cable CVC with a strategic-investment mandate and US-centric portfolio.
- AT&T Ventures: Strategic investment unit of AT&T focused on 5G, edge, cybersecurity, and enterprise software. Closest direct peer to Verizon Ventures given the carrier-versus-carrier strategic overlap and US market focus.
- T-Mobile Ventures: Corporate venture arm of T-Mobile US investing in 5G, IoT, and adjacent enterprise technologies. Comparable to Verizon Ventures as a US mobile carrier CVC pursuing connectivity-led strategic theses.
Regional players
- Deutsche Telekom Capital Partners: Strategic investment unit of Deutsche Telekom with focus on telecom and digital infrastructure outside the US. Comparable in telecom-CVC mandate and 5G/edge theses, but operates primarily in Europe rather than competing with Verizon Ventures in the US market.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights5 records
Customer concentration
Verizon Ventures social profiles
Digital presenceVerizon Ventures financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Verizon Ventures leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles14 records
Verizon Ventures subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries6 records
Verizon Ventures funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors3 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Verizon Ventures M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments170 records
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Verizon Ventures
What does Verizon Ventures do?
Verizon Ventures is the corporate venture capital arm of Verizon Communications Inc., making strategic venture investments in early-stage technology companies aligned with Verizon's strategic priorities in 5G, IoT, Multi-Access Edge Compute (MEC), broadband, and connected device ecosystems. It provides funding and strategic resources to portfolio companies to support innovation in telecommunications-adjacent technologies.
Is Verizon Ventures a public or private company?
Verizon Ventures is a public company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Verizon Ventures founded?
Verizon Ventures was founded in 2000. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Verizon Ventures based?
Verizon Ventures is headquartered in Basking Ridge, United States, in the North America region.
How does Verizon Ventures make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Wireless Services are the primary driver. The others are home Internet & TV, device Sales, business Solutions and verizon Ventures Investment.
Who are Verizon Ventures's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Google Ventures (GV), Microsoft for Startups / M12, Samsung NEXT, Qualcomm Ventures, Intel Capital and Cisco Investments. Direct peers are Comcast Ventures, AT&T Ventures and T-Mobile Ventures. Deutsche Telekom Capital Partners is listed as a regional player.
Does Verizon Ventures have an API?
No public API is recorded for Verizon Ventures.
What industry is Verizon Ventures in?
Verizon Ventures's product category is Corporate Venture Capital. Its primary akta.pro industry code is FSANAHAI, Corporate Innovation & Technology Scouting Units (with investment mandate), with a secondary code of FSANAHAF, Corporate Strategic Partnership & Ecosystem Investment Arms. Its NAICS code is 523940 and its SIC code is 6282.