#208 – Michael Granoff | Maniv – Chinese EVs, The End of “Mobility” & Finding the Right Investments

Building Better with Brandon Bartneck

Mike Granoff, managing partner at Maniv Mobility, discusses the future of mobility and transportation.

Links:

• Show notes: http://brandonbartneck.com/futureofmobility/mikegranoff
• Edison Manufacturing Exchange: https://brandonbartneck.substack.com/publish/home
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/granoff/

• https://www.maniv.com/

Takeaways

• Maniv Mobility invests in startups that focus on decarbonization and digitization of mobility and transportation.
• Evaluating founders is crucial, and the ability to adapt and find answers to challenges is a key criterion.
• Chinese EVs are taking over the global automotive industry, and China has the potential to dominate due to its expertise and government support.
• Investors should keep an eye on the raw materials for battery production as it may present future opportunities.

Keywords

mobility, transportation, decarbonization, digitization, startups, founders, Chinese EVs, automotive industry, raw materials, battery production

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction and Overview of Maniv Mobility
• 06:34 Defining Mobility and Access to Goods and Places
• 11:30 Investment Criteria and Evaluating Founders
• 31:55 Investing Decisions and Opportunities in the Raw Materials Market
• 44:31 Transition Riff.wav
• 44:37 Evolution in the Mobility Space
• 45:08 Building a Strong Founding Team and Culture
• 45:31 The Power of Being Nice but Firm
• 46:00 The Rise of Chinese Electric Vehicle Automakers
• 46:46 Conclusion

Michael Granoff Bio

Michael Granoff is founder and Managing Director of Maniv Mobility, a venture capital fund based in Tel Aviv that invests globally in startup companies at the intersection of transportation and technology. Founded in 2015, Maniv manages over $300 million, with an investor base that includes over 20 strategic investors including automakers, suppliers, and companies from related verticals. Maniv’s portfolio includes over 30 startup companies spanning nine countries.

Among the corporate boards on which Mr. Granoff sits are Hailo, a Tel Aviv-based developer of silicon chips for energy-efficient edge computing on-board vehicles; Revel, a New York-based provider of shared electric mopeds and Tesla-based rideshare; Harbinger Motors, a US-based manufacturer of electric mid-duty vehicles; and the Dubai-based Fenix, which provides shared electric scooters throughout the GCC. He is also a founding board member of the Washington, DC-based policy and advocacy group Securing America’s Future Energy (SAFE) and the Israel-based Israel 2048. His past board roles have included that of electric car network developer Better Place. He has been involved in three US Presidential campaigns and has received several awards

including Brandeis University’s Asper Award for Global Entrepreneurship.

Mr. Granoff holds a B.A. from Tufts University, an MBA and JD from Kellogg, Northwestern University, has completed over 25 marathons and is a father of four.

About Maniv

Maniv is a global early stage venture capital fund investing into technology startups digitizing and decarbonizing mobility and transportation.

Future of Mobility:

The Future of Mobility podcast is focused on the development and implementation of safe, sustainable, effective, and accessible mobility solutions, with a spotlight on the people and technology advancing these fields.

Edison Manufacturing and Engineering:

Edison is your low volume contract manufacturing partner, focused on assembly of complex mobility and energy products that don’t neatly fit within traditional high-volume production methods.