An experienced financial expert, Juan joins us from our parent company, BAT, where he most recently headed its global commercial M&A team.
Following in the footsteps of BTV’s founding MD, Dr Lisa Smith, under Juan’s leadership, BTV will continue to be a driving force in delivering BAT’s A Better Tomorrow™ strategy. By supporting its portfolio, investing into innovative companies, and building its ecosystem of thought-leadership for the future, BTV will further solidify its integral role in BAT’s transformation journey.
“Since making it’s first investment in Summer 2020, BTV has established itself as a leading CVC, achieving many remarkable milestones and I am looking forward to continuing its successful journey,”
said Juan.
Juan brings a wealth of global experience and drive to BTV, having recently lead BAT’s minority investments into Canadian company Organigram, Germany’s Sanity Group and U.S. based Charlotte’s Web. He will continue to lead the relationship with these portfolio companies in the cannabis sector.
Since joining RAI/BAT in the US in 2006, Juan has held several roles within the Group throughout his career. His breadth and depth of experience includes working in financial planning; accounting; commercial finance; operations finance; business development, and M&A.
He has worked on several product categories with an emphasis on New Categories and Wellness & Stimulation and is highly skilled with regard to minority investments. With his strong financial and accounting background, Juan will provide additional guidance and mentorship to BTV’s growing portfolio.
Born and raised in Venezuela, Juan’s career has also spanned continents. After gaining his undergraduate degree in Business at university in Caracas, Juan moved with his wife to pursue an MBA in North Carolina, later working in Switzerland and the UK.
Fluent in English and Spanish, Juan’s international outlook is the perfect match for a global fund such as BTV. During his career, he has nurtured valuable relationships with key commercial stakeholders both in the US and across the wider BAT Group. These relationships will drive a greater collaboration between BTV’s portfolio and BAT.
In his personal life, Juan supports several community charities in Venezuela, and enjoys running, swimming and spending time with his wife and two children, especially when it comes to taking his son to football matches – they are ardent Man City supporters!
Everyone in the BTV team is excited by Juan’s appointment and looks forward to the fund’s continued success under his expert leadership.
Under the guidance of our founding MD, Dr Lisa Smith, BTV is now a globally recognised, award-winning CVC fund. Lisa headed BTV for more than three years during which time she accomplished her goal to create a world class corporate venture unit for a company in the process of transforming the consumer goods space. As a team we wish Lisa every success in her exciting future ventures.
About BTV
Since its launch in 2019, BTV has made 22 investments (including three successful exits) in companies specialising in BioTech & Science; Technology, and Consumer Brands across the Functional Food and Beverage space.
BTV’s Labs programmes continues to inspire businesses and talent across the globe, along with its Binspired thought-leadership platform, its ESG agenda and its Battle of Minds pitch competition in partnership with BAT.
In 2022, BTV was, for the second year running, placed in Global Corporate Venturing’s Top 50 Powerlist, celebrating the top CVC leaders shaping the future of the industry. BTV’s ranking places it in the top 5% of corporate venture funds worldwide.
BTV is also the recipient of the Level 2 Diversity VC Standard, for its work in Diversity & Inclusion. BTV is one of only 25 funds across the globe to have been given the Level 2 seal, Diversity VC’s highest award.
