Startups and Corporations Can Get Along
Given the split numbers of corporate employees, startup CMOs, and venture capitalists, the discussion provided an interesting dichotomy of the corporate-startup partnership world. Whether it was giving advice on what startups need to do to lock down a corporate partnership or discussing the red flags for corporations partnering with under qualified startups, the speakers were adamant about one thing: startups and corporations aren’t that different. As the speakers emphasized, there’s a lot to gain from these types of partnerships on both sides of the table. From capital and resources to influence and attention, partnerships between corporations and startups are good for business. Particularly when you’re having trouble getting off the ground on your own. While startups and corporations have a lot in common, it can be a bit shocking to jump on board with an organization that is in a very different place in terms of their business progression. And if both don’t have find a way to bridge the gap between the two, a lot of problems could arise before you even get started.
…But Hold on to Your IP
As time dwindled, speakers were asked to explain their general thoughts on partnerships between startups and corporations. A lot of conflicting thoughts came out of this topic, including one panelist referring to corporations as “the enemy,” but the best takeaway was the need for startups to avoid selling out their vision for a corporate sponsorship. Check out the full panel discussion from Innovate! and Celebrate below:
