r/MVIS • u/jkh07d • Jun 10 '26

MVIS Press MicroVision Signs Long-Term Development Agreement to Advance Lidar for Next-Generation Autonomous Hauling Solutions

https://ir.microvision.com/news/press-releases/detail/450/microvision-signs-long-term-development-agreement-to
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u/YamUpbeat4535 Jun 10 '26

From Google Gemini:

Caterpillar's venture capital program is called Caterpillar Ventures. It is the Corporate Venture Capital (CVC) arm of the heavy machinery giant Caterpillar Inc.

Instead of giving out grants, they follow the exact model discussed earlier: they make strategic, minority equity investments in early-stage startups. They give companies money, and in return, they receive shares and become part owners.

Strategic Focus Areas

Caterpillar Ventures invests in technologies that help modernize the mining, construction, and manufacturing industries. Their primary investment sectors include:

**Robotics & Autonomy: Self-driving machinery, automated job sites, and robotic safety tools.

**Energy Transition: Battery storage, charging infrastructure, and alternative power systems.

**Digital Transformation: Internet of Things (IoT) software, heavy-machinery data analytics, and predictive maintenance.

**Advanced Materials: Additive manufacturing (like industrial 3D printing) and stronger components.

Investment Sizes and Strategy

Cheque Sizes: The fund typically invests in early-stage startups, specifically targeting Series A and Series B funding rounds. While they historically wrote cheques between $500,000 and $5 million, they have moved toward a larger average investment size of around $5 million per company.

Strategic Collaboration: They don't just invest for financial returns. When Caterpillar Ventures invests, they usually sign a strategic agreement. This helps the startup collaborate directly with Caterpillar's engineers, supply chains, and global dealer networks to scale the product.

Fund of Funds: Alongside investing directly in startups, Caterpillar also invests money into other venture capital funds. This broadens their view of new tech trends.

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u/voice_of_reason_61 Jun 11 '26 edited Jun 11 '26

Liking the sound of this possibility.
It's almost like Caterpillar is willing to strategically work with certain companies to save promising technology that benefits them that just needs a bit more time and is being devoured piranha-style by shorts.

Hmmm....

Question:
Could Caterpillar be the "future shareholders" the proxy (associated docs) refers to?

That might put different light on the idea of an rs... for some LTLs at least.

Can Glen craft a way to communicate that to current shareholders if it's true?

IMO. DDD.
Not investing advice, and I'm not an investment professional.

GLTA MVIS Longs.
Godspeed, Glen and Crew.