Retail real estate specialist Simon Property Group has launched Simon Venture Group, a new business that will invest in retail innovation, focusing on opportunities that enhance the shopping experience.
Simon Venture Group will be investing across stages from early-stage to high-growth technology companies, making seed to series C+ investments and focusing on both direct and indirect strategic investment opportunities.
Mikael Thygesen (pictured), chief marketing officer of Simon Property Group, says: "We believe we have only scratched the surface on applying technology to the retail environment in innovative, interesting ways."
Simon Venture Group will be led by J Skyler Fernandes, who will be responsible for identifying, evaluating, and making investments. Fernandes was previously a partner at Centripetal Capital Partners, a multi-stage venture capital fund, where he concentrated on consumer Internet, retail, and high-tech with commercial applications.
