Holt Cat’s VisionLink command center.Caterpillar dealer Holt Cat has created Holt Ventures as a means of investing in new technologies and companies “focused on solving challenges in the industrial and manufacturing industries.”
StricklandThe company says the new investment arm will provide “real world mentorship and guidance” in addition to funding, and wants to help speed up growth and the commercializing of ideas through the dealership’s advisory committee.
“The Holt family’s great success in the commercial dealership arena over the past 40 years is partially due to the company’s values-based leadership platform,” says Charlie Strickland, Holt Ventures managing director. “As a capital partner and advisor, Holt Ventures is furthering the Holt family’s legacy of fostering innovation by helping emerging companies and entrepreneurs in our industry.”
Holt Cat Executive Vice Present and General Manager Peter John Holt says the new entity will focus on providing solutions for efficiencies across services the dealership provides.
“Companies that have a strong vision in developing efficient, innovative solutions, from process improvement to smart technologies, are what we are looking for,” he says. “There is an opportunity to connect influencers from all subsets of construction and infrastructure, and to cultivate innovative ideas specific to the industries we serve.”
Peter John HoltBoth Peter John Holt and Corinna Holt Richter will serve as members of the HOLT Ventures Advisory Committee.
Holt Ventures has partnered with Caterpillar Ventures, Brick & Mortar Ventures and Cottonwood Technology Fund to host the Industrial Technology Pitch Competition at the South by Southwest Conference in Austin on March 14, 2017.
The competition will feature 15 startups that will make presentations in three separate one-hour sessions. Winners will be presented with a“potential strategic partnership opportunity” or a cash prize.
More details are available at http://www.holtventures.com/sxsw/.
