Cisco Investments

Cisco Investments, a division of Cisco, is heavily involved in strategic acquisitions and venture capital, investing hundreds of millions of dollars annually. Rob Salvagno, the VP of Corporate Development at Cisco, shared insights on their approach, emphasizing the importance of not just internal development but also strategic investments and acquisitions for accelerating Cisco's market position. For instance, Cisco’s investment in Velocloud and subsequent acquisition of Viptella, which was not a Cisco investment, strategically positioned Cisco as a leader in the SD-Wan market. This suggests a discerning and opportunistic investment strategy aimed at strengthening Cisco's technology stack and market leadership 1 2.

Cisco’s approach to corporate development also stresses the value of relationships with potential acquisition targets and investment partners, building connections that can significantly accelerate business growth for startups 3.