Executive Vice President, IIF
What does it take to lead IV’s Invention Investment Fund? For Mathen Ganesan, it’s a mix of strategic precision, deep tech expertise, and a people-first mindset. In his role at IV, he oversees licensing, engineering, litigation, and program strategy—while empowering his team to do their best work. Learn more about Mathen’s leadership philosophy, his approach to building value, and the passions that keep him learning.
At Intellectual Ventures (IV), innovation isn’t just a buzzword—it’s the business model. For Mathen Ganesan, Executive Vice President of the Invention Investment Funds, IV represents the ideal intersection of bold ideas, brilliant people, and the opportunity to build something truly unique. “If you want to license intellectual property and build complex strategies, there’s no better place than IV,” he says. “We pioneered this space, and we’re still the best at it.”
With a background in microelectronics and software, and a master’s degree from University College London, Mathen’s journey to IV began in Newcastle upon Tyne, England, where he was raised in an academically driven family that encouraged him to dream big and take risks. That mindset led him to co-found Storage Genetics, a company that doubled flash memory capacity without increasing cost—an innovation that helped shape the future of portable tech. After selling the company to Micron, Mathen became deeply familiar with the strategic importance of intellectual property and the power it holds for technology companies.
At IV, Mathen leads the operations and strategy behind the Invention Investment Funds, overseeing licensing, engineering, litigation, and program development. But his true focus is on people. “I’m responsible for a really great group of people—making sure they understand their roles and have the best possible environment to show their talents,” he says.
“Nothing is more satisfying than seeing someone accomplish something they thought they couldn’t,” he says. “If I can have even a small impact on that, it’s incredibly rewarding.”
- Mathen Ganesan
Mathen’s leadership philosophy centers on authenticity, self-awareness, and team empowerment. He thrives on helping others achieve what they didn’t think possible. “Nothing is more satisfying than seeing someone accomplish something they thought they couldn’t,” he says. “If I can have even a small impact on that, it’s incredibly rewarding.”
One of the biggest challenges Mathen and his team have tackled at IV is the unpredictability of IP licensing revenue. By deeply understanding the portfolio, categorizing it meaningfully, and building a methodical monetization engine, he and the team have transformed the business into a more predictable and diverse revenue generator. “We’ve found new value in our portfolio repeatedly over the last decade,” he notes. “It is always my goal to delight our investors with annual distributions and prove that the visionary decisions we made decades ago continue to drive value,” he says. “It’s that annual challenge that keeps us going.”
Outside of work, Mathen has many interests. He’s a trained South Indian classical singer, a certified wine sommelier, and a part-owner of an award-winning restaurant in Newcastle. He enjoys golf, pickleball, cooking, and spending time with his family. “I read a lot, stay connected in the tech market, and learn constantly from others,” he says. “Curiosity is what leads us to new opportunities.”
His advice to aspiring leaders? “There’s no perfect blueprint. Leadership comes in many forms. Know what you’re good at, evolve over time, and build your personal ‘app store’ of skills. And always be purposeful—really know and care about the people you work with.”
