National Grid powers start-ups

National Grid (NG.) lists one of its principal risks and uncertainties as a “failure to adequately anticipate and minimise the adverse impact from disruptive forces such as technology and innovation on our business model”. That explains why the group will spend $250m (£192m) on Silicon Valley start-ups over the next two to three years under its National Grid Partners initiative. It has now fully disposed of its UK gas distribution business in its search for higher-yielding assets – but it's also looking to broaden its capabilities.