Strategic investing is not a new concept, it's been around for years. It's generally when a corporation has an investment or incubation unit that focuses on products the parent company might need. So, for example, the IBM strategic investment units would invest in business software start-ups, but likely not in a new automotive company. Makes sense from several levels. First, if the start-up is a big success, then they make money. They can also more likely provide meaningful support and validation. And if the venture fails, there may be people, technology, or ideas that are useful to the parent company, so it decreases slightly the down-side risk.

DHL has launched a new strategic investment program, seeking to fund start-ups that posses technologies that will help DHL meet it's specific goals of reducing carbon output by 30% in 12 years. Nicely done.

http://www.businessgreen.com/