Venture Strategy Group
As part of the Unbuilt Labs Global Think Tank Ecosystem, we combine our deep expertise on board leadership, emerging technologies, and global governance to advise on the most daring ventures.
Schedule a free 30-minute Advising Session with the Director
For Founders, Investors, and Board Leaders
We provide 1:1 Advising sessions with our Director on:
(1) Partnership-Building Across Stakeholder Groups
Breakthrough ideas rarely succeed in isolation. Today's ventures operate within complex ecosystems. Proactively building productive relationships facilitates growth and long-term impact.
(2) Actionable Research to Inform Strategy
Good strategy requires accurate insight. We advise founders on research program design from user research to policy research and strategy analysis. Translating findings into actionable recommendations speeds up the product-market-fit process and pivot.
(3) Anticipate Global Policy Change and Participate in Standard-Setting
Political priorities, public sentiment, geopolitical developments, industry debates, and emerging risks can all signal future policy directions. We advise founders and investors so they can interpret early signals accurately can manage risks more effectively.
(4) Board Transitions as Ventures Scale
As companies move from early-stage startup to growth-stage venture, boards evolve. New investors join, independent directors are appointed, and leadership structures mature. We advise founders and investors on managing board dynamics.
Program Highlights
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Knowledge base (Public Access)
Our research on Design, Product, Research, and Strategy best practices. We leverage academic research to consolidate best practices and show you the principles behind our recommendations. View here.
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VSG Leadership Forum
VSG Leadership Forum publishes interviews exclusively. It complements our more academic publication SITT Room and provides an official platform for practitioners to speculate more boldly on what the future holds. Learn more.
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Innovator in Residence Program
We believe the next generation of responsible and innovative companies solving grand challenges will be led by strong research centers that consistently deliver breakthrough ideas and monitor ideas’ impact. Our 2021-2022 Pilot Program included the Global Consortium for Systems Research and the Holonym Foundation. Learn more.
Leadership
Marvin Cheung
Director
Marvin has a background in user experience and product management, having consulted and advised startups in New York. He holds judge, reviewer, and mentor roles at Johns Hopkins, MIT, Kellogg-Morgan Stanley, and Yale University. Recognized for his astute understanding of complex global systems, he chairs the Global Consortium for Systems Research and serves on the Board of Unbuilt Labs as well as various advisory boards. He has also been an Expert on Strategic Planning and a Global Diplomacy Fellow at the United Nations. He regularly briefs boards on pressing issues. He has given talks at the UN, MIT, ChairX, Boards Impact Forum, and other prestigious institutions. He holds a BFA from the Parsons School of Design and an MA from the Johns Hopkins SAIS. He was also a Departmental Visiting Student at the University of Oxford.
Marvin@UnbuiltLabs.com
Testimonials
“It is easy to lose sight of which fires to put out now and which ones to prioritize later. Unbuilt Lab’s comprehensive insights left me with a clearer picture of where I was, and equipped me with some excellent objectives and tactics moving forward. Without their input, I might not have arrived at the insights required to make an important pivot.” — Shady El Damaty, Ph.D. (Georgetown), CEO, Co-Founder, Holonym Foundation, raised $5.5M in 2025
"Marvin, thank you for your work with Yale students and your insights on how to form personal relationships with potential partners and how to keep the attention and energy of everyone on the venture team." — Victor Padilla-Taylor, then Director, Tsai CITY at Yale and Inaugural Chair, Yale SOM Entrepreneurs Network
"Mr. Cheung distinguished himself as [...] a capable researcher" — H.E. Amb. Dr. Sergeyev, former elected member of the UN Security Council and Chair of the Sixth Committee on Legal Affairs
"[A] thought leader" — Boards Impact Forum
FAQ
For questions, please email the director Marvin@UnbuiltLabs.com
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Not at all - we are happy to help you think through ideas :)
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Innovation is a high risk, high reward endeavor. Our expertise can help you evaluate, manage, and reduce risks, but we cannot guarantee results. Know that we are here because we enjoy working in the field of innovation tremendously and we want to see you succeed!
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Yes, we do! Schedule a chat with us and see if we are a good fit. Please reach out to Marvin@UnbuiltLabs.com
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Like VCs, our policy is we do not sign NDAs, however, we treat all materials with discretion. Please see our Ethics Statement for more information.
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If only our jobs were that simple! At the end of the day, we focus on three things. First, you and your well-being; Second, business continuity; and Third, remaining competitive. We are looking to build a long-term relationship with you (our business model means we make more money that way). We will give you advice that is in your best interest even if the conversation is difficult.
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We always start an advising session with a standard "How are you doing?" or "What is on your mind?". If you have an urgent concern, we will work to resolve that first. If not, we are happy to talk about your latest initiatives, emerging trends, or do a product walk-through. How you spend the time is up to you!