Drive Catalyst: Born to Transform from Within：How Drive Catalyst Powers Far Eastern Group’s Next Chapter
As the world rapidly shifts toward digitalization and sustainability, how can a seven-decade-strong conglomerate like Far Eastern Group (FEG) stay ahead? The answer lies in Drive Catalyst—a lean, agile venture capital (VC) team quietly fueling innovation from the inside out. From circular textiles to AI-powered tools, this team is bridging startups and tradition, transforming bold ideas into real-world impact across FEG’s industries.
🔹 The Catalyst Within
In an era of rapid disruption and relentless reinvention, how can a seven-decade-old conglomerate stay ahead of the curve?
For Far Eastern Group, the answer lies in a bold, future-facing initiative—Drive Catalyst, its corporate venture capital (CVC) arm established in 2019 under the direction of Chairman Douglas Hsu. The mission: find, fund, and forge partnerships with visionary startups to spark innovation across FEG’s ten diverse industries.
But Drive Catalyst is more than an investment engine. It’s a strategic connector—bridging startup speed with corporate scale to turn pioneering ideas into real-world solutions that reshape business models and elevate industrial capabilities.
“We’re more than investors,” says Juliana Pidner Hsu, Managing Director. “We’re connectors—with conviction.” With roots in Brazil, the United States, and Taiwan, Juliana leads a diverse, mission-driven team. Their ethos? Move fast, make impact, and champion founders who care as much about society and innovation as they do about capital returns.
🔍 What is Corporate Venture Capital (CVC)?
Corporate venture capital refers to the practice of large corporations investing in early-stage startups. It allows businesses to stay close to innovation and co-develop solutions that align with their strategic priorities.
While CVC may be unfamiliar to many in traditional industries, it has become a key innovation lever for global companies such as Google (GV), Microsoft (M12), Samsung (Samsung Catalyst Fund), Aramco (Aramco Ventures), H&M (H&M Group Ventures), and Toyota (Toyota Ventures). Like these players, FEG recognized the need to future-proof its legacy through access to cutting-edge technologies, new business models, and global entrepreneurial talents.
🔹 Investing with Purpose
Drive Catalyst focuses on startups operating at the frontier of change—advanced manufacturing, new materials, circular economy, energy transition, automation, artificial intelligence (AI), and deep tech. These sectors are not only globally significant but tightly aligned with FEG’s long-term transformation strategy.
To date, the team has backed more than 20 startups globally, such as:
• Ambercycle – Regenerating polyester from textile waste, TIME’s Best Innovation of 2024
• Circ – Chemical recycling of polycotton, an Earthshot Prize finalist backed by Bill Gates
• Privateer Space – Space-based earth intelligence, cofounded by Apple’s Steve Wozniak
• Capra Biosciences, AiFi, Novoloop – Enabling breakthroughs in biomanufacturing, retail AI, and circular plastics.
Each investment is not just capital—it’s a strategic partnership. Drive Catalyst plays a dual role: providing capital and facilitating engagement between the startup and relevant FEG companies to test and validate their solutions. These proof-of-concept (POC) collaborations are a key differentiator—not only do they offer startups valuable real-world traction, they also give FEG a low-risk, high-reward window into next-generation innovation.
Moreover, Drive Catalyst complements its direct investments with strategic placements in top-tier venture capital funds—including the E14 Fund (affiliated with MIT Media Lab), Pioneer Fund (Y Combinator alumni), and Hustle Fund (an early-stage global seed investor). These partnerships grant the team access to exclusive deal flow, global insights, and a dynamic network of entrepreneurs operating at the forefront of science and technology.
🔹 Creating Value, Together
One of Drive Catalyst’s greatest strengths lies in its ability to work closely with FEG’s operating companies—whether helping U-Ming Marine Transport explore emerging maritime technologies, collaborating with Oriental Union Chemical on advancing AI-driven R&D process, or introducing circular economy pilots into Far Eastern New Century’s textile lines.
This hands-on involvement is more than just matchmaking; it is a reflection of the team’s belief that venture capital is not just a financial engine—it’s a human one.
“We are not just funding innovation,” they say. “We are facilitating transformation—by connecting people, aligning strategies, and nurturing a culture of openness and experimentation within the Group.”
To date, Drive Catalyst has initiated hundreds of meaningful discussions with FEG affiliates, including the aforementioned, Asia Cement, Everest Textile, Far Eastern International Bank, Far Eastern Department Stores, Arcoa, Fu Ming Transport, Far Eastern Electronic Toll Collection, A.Mart, Far Eastern Resource Development, Shangri-La Far Eastern, and many more.
💡 Why It Matters for Every FEG Employee
1. Industry Enrichment: Projects in textiles, petrochemicals, telecom and technology, logistics, financial services, and construction gain new layers of innovation and resilience.
2. Sustainable Tech at Scale: From circular polyester to metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), biomanufacturing of Vitamin A, and advanced 3D printing technology, Drive Catalyst supercharges FEG’s exposure to sustainable deep tech.
3. Talent & Culture: Cross-organizational collaboration—startups meet FEG teams—invigorating employee growth, curiosity, and an innovation mindset.
🔹 Looking Ahead
The path forward is ambitious. In the coming years, Drive Catalyst aims to scale its impact by continuing to scout emerging technologies, build strong internal bridges, and support the Group’s sustainability and innovation goals through targeted investments and deep collaborations.
It is a tall order, especially within a Group as vast and diverse as FEG. But if the early successes are any indication, Drive Catalyst is proving that with the right partnerships, even the most established enterprises can be reinvigorated—with fresh energy, new ideas, and a forward-looking spirit.
As Drive Catalyst continues its work, one thing becomes clear: this is not just a team of investors. It is a team of drivers, innovators, and catalysts, working quietly but tirelessly behind the scenes to write the next chapter of Far Eastern Group’s legacy.
🔹 Final Note from the Team
Innovation doesn’t live in labs or slides—it lives in people.
At Drive Catalyst, we believe every FEG employee can be part of that journey—by staying curious, open, and bold.
Let’s drive forward, together.
🌟 Do you have an idea to partner with us?
Email: drivecatalyst@feg.com.tw
Website: https://www.drivecatalyst.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/drivecatalyst/
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