Michael Claes is a seasoned venture capital investor and technology leader with over 25 years of experience shaping innovation at the intersection of science, business, and investment. Trained as a chemist with a PhD, he began his career building technology from the ground up as co-founder and CTO of a startup, gaining firsthand experience scaling innovation in fast-moving environments.
Over the course of his career, Michael has worked across startups, venture capital, and global industrial corporations. Most recently, he served as Director at SABIC Ventures, the corporate venture capital arm of SABIC, where he led global investments in transformative technologies spanning advanced materials, circular economy solutions, and energy transition.
Alongside his advisory roles, he is now Managing Partner at Ockham Partners, where he works with venture capital investors, fund managers, and high-potential technology companies. Leveraging experience across science, venture capital, and industry, Michael connects founders, corporations, and capital to accelerate the commercialization of breakthrough technologies and drive meaningful innovation at scale.
WORK EXPERIENCE
Building on his extensive career in technology development and venture capital, Michael currently serves as a Director at SABIC Ventures, where he leads SABIC’s global efforts to access breakthrough technologies through venture investment, licensing, and joint development arrangements.
His focus within the corporate investment arm is on technologies enabling the Circular Economy (TRUCIRCLE), Carbon Neutrality, and Energy Transition in advanced materials, Agri-nutrients, and market-facing segments. In this capacity, he is responsible for determining the strategic business case for engagement, coordinating technology needs across global business units, and leading the technical due diligence process for new investments.
Michael maintains a strong presence in the deep tech ecosystem, actively serving as a board member for several companies accelerating the circular economy, including Vaulta (sustainable battery design), Novocycle Technologies (Li-ion battery recycling achieving over 96% raw material recovery), and iNex Circular (European platform for circular economy synergies).
He is also Managing Partner at Ockham Partners, an advisory platform supporting venture capital investors, fund managers, and high-potential technology companies. Through Ockham Partners, Michael works at the intersection of science, venture capital, and industry, helping translate breakthrough technologies into scalable business opportunities and strategic investment pathways.
Earlier in his career, he spent over 15 years in executive and technical leadership roles at Nanocyl SA, a global leader in carbon nanotubes and advanced materials. As Chief Technology Officer, he led the technical service, T&I, process engineering, and production teams, establishing the technical and commercial development strategy for products used in the automotive, electronics, and energy sectors.
EDUCATIONS
Michael holds a Ph.D. and a master’s degree in chemistry from the University of Liège. He has supplemented his scientific expertise with advanced business acumen, completing executive education programs including the Private Equity and Venture Capital Program at Harvard Business School and the Accelerated Management Program at Solvay Brussels School of Economics and Management. He is also a Financial Modeling and Valuation Analyst (FMVA®) certified by the Corporate Finance Institute (CFI).
