Establishing a well-defined mandate with ranked priorities keeps investment aligned with corporate strategy, avoiding mission drift and focusing on long-term objectives. 
Sailing to Scaling: Investor Alejandro Solé's Journey in Energy Transition
From sailing across the globe to steering investments in transformative energy technologies, Alejandro Sole’s career journey is anything but ordinary. Born in Argentina, Alejandro’s early life was steeped in exploration, which evolved into a passion for problem-solving and strategic thinking. He sat down with Nicolas Sauvage, host of Corporate Venturing Insider and President of TDK Ventures, in October 2024 to discuss his career and journey.
His story intertwines early experiences in sailing, academic grounding in economics, and years of investment expertise—all culminating in his current role as the head of TechEnergy Ventures. This corporate venture capital (CVC) arm of the Techint Group—a global conglomerate renowned for its steel, energy, and construction sectors—is dedicated to propelling the transition to a cleaner, more sustainable economy.
From Sailor to Investor: Foundational Lessons in Risk and Strategy
Before Solé embarked on his financial career, he was a passionate sailor. The sport wasn’t just a pastime; it was a crucible for developing skills that would later become central to his investment philosophy. Solé recalls, “Sailing is a sport in which you obviously want to go around the buoys as fast as you can, but the guy who wins is the one who stays ahead of the second. And that has a lot of elements of risk that you take through the regatta.” This emphasis on strategic risk-taking is evident in his investment decision-making. Solé’s approach in both sailing and investing involves thinking long-term while executing with short-term tactics. “You think of a strategy long-term where I want to be, what seems to be the best way to get around the buoys. And then you think about tactics. It’s like, how do I get ahead of this other guy?” Solé’s strategic insight, combined with his understanding of risk as an inherent component of success, mirrors the finely tuned decisions needed to navigate venture capital.
Academic Rigor and Financial Acumen: A Recipe for Strategic Investments
Solé’s academic journey in economics laid the foundation for his analytical approach to venture capital. His ability to challenge assumptions and seek data-driven answers enables him to push for financially viable solutions, especially in the complex world of energy technology. “Sometimes the discussion on direct lithium technology, for instance, is that it’s too costly because it uses more chemicals,” he explains. “But that’s not a reason to strike it out. You should tell me how many kilometers, how we’re going to take it. What does it mean? I try to push it to the final answer.” Solé’s meticulous focus on unit economics ensures that investments made by TechEnergy Ventures are not only innovative but also scalable and sustainable. This approach has bolstered the company’s reputation as a forward-thinking player in the energy sector, marrying technology with tangible financial outcomes.
Leading TechEnergy Ventures: Clarity in Purpose and Action
When Solé assumed leadership at TechEnergy Ventures, the fund was young and in need of clear direction. He wasted no time in defining a strategic blueprint. “When I arrived, there were a set of priorities, and I told them that I wanted the ranking of priorities, not just a set,” Solé shares. This demand for clear prioritization has become a hallmark of his leadership. TechEnergy Ventures, under Solé’s guidance, has pursued investments in cutting-edge areas like clean hydrogen, advanced fuels, and energy storage, all key components in the transition to sustainable energy. The first deal under his leadership, a small 1% allocation, exemplified the fund’s agility. “It was very fast. It was obviously a small investment, but it provided the elements of moving first, having a first deal done in a segment that we liked,” Solé recalls. This early success demonstrated the importance of aligning fast execution with strategic intent.
Quick Execution: A Competitive Edge in CVC
TechEnergy Ventures is known for its nimble approach to investment decisions—a quality that sets it apart in the often slow-moving corporate venture world. Solé attributes this to a clear mission and cohesive teamwork within the Investment Committee. “More than half of the companies we invest in will likely fail. You need to understand the levels of risk,” he says, emphasizing the importance of setting realistic expectations. This willingness to acknowledge and embrace risk stems from his background in both sailing and economics, where variables are constantly shifting. Solé advocates for a culture of transparency within the fund, ensuring stakeholders understand that failures are learning opportunities, not deterrents. “I was forward in making sure everybody had the right level of expectations,” he notes. This approach nurtures resilience and readiness to pivot—a necessary mindset for investing in energy transition technologies.
Turning Disadvantages into Strengths
Unlike traditional financial venture capital firms, CVCs like TechEnergy Ventures are often limited to investments that align with their corporate parent’s strategic interests. Solé acknowledges this constraint but views it as an advantage. “Focus on the things where you’re useful can end up becoming a strength relative to a financial VC that can do anything as long as it makes money,” he explains. This targeted focus allows TechEnergy Ventures to bring unparalleled expertise and value to their portfolio companies, leveraging the resources of the Techint Group.
By zeroing in on niche segments that align with the parent company’s expertise, TechEnergy Ventures has positioned itself as a unique player capable of offering more than just financial backing. Startups benefit from the industrial and technological support that only a strategic CVC can provide. This model has proven attractive to startups looking for more than a check—they want a partner who understands the complexities of their field.
High-Conviction Investing: Understanding the Technology and the Market
Solé’s investment philosophy hinges on deep technical due diligence and an understanding of market disruption. He stresses that successful investments aren’t just about having a promising team or a viable business model but about the technology’s potential to revolutionize its sector. “The first thing is understanding what you’re betting on and what the segment actually needs,” Solé explains. “Is this a segment that will go through a technology disruption, and are the new technologies order-of-magnitude better?”
This high-conviction approach ensures that TechEnergy Ventures is not merely chasing trends but is placing bets on technologies with transformative potential. Solé’s expertise enables him to assess not just the viability but also the scalability of a startup’s innovation, which is a critical factor in making impactful investments.
A Journey Marked by Precision and Passion
Alejandro Solé’s journey from a young sailor in Argentina to the head of TechEnergy Ventures exemplifies a life marked by precision, adaptability, and strategic vision. Whether assessing wind conditions on the ocean or evaluating market dynamics for emerging energy technology, his approach remains consistent: plan for the long term, act in the short term, and embrace calculated risks. His leadership embodies a targeted investment strategy rooted in deep market understanding and a commitment to sustainability. As clean technologies evolve, TechEnergy Ventures acts as a bridge, driving impactful innovations into the mainstream. “We’re not just investing in technology; we’re investing in the foundation of a sustainable future,” Alejandro notes. Through his guidance, the firm continues to propel the energy transition with clarity and purpose, backing technologies that promise both economic and environmental returns.
