EPICENTRE project: What are the barriers to corporate-startup collaboration?

Submitted by Joan Puate Puy on 03 April 2023

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Corporate-startup collaboration can be a mutually beneficial partnership that leads to innovation and growth for both parties. However, there are several barriers that can hinder successful collaboration, including:

·       Cultural differences: Corporations and startups often have different cultures, working styles, and priorities. These differences can lead to misunderstandings, miscommunications, and conflicts.

·       Size and bureaucracy: Corporations can be slow to make decisions, due to their size and bureaucratic processes. Startups, on the other hand, are agile and move quickly. This difference in pace can create friction in collaboration.

·       Intellectual property (IP) issues: Corporations may be concerned about protecting their IP when collaborating with startups. Startups, on the other hand, may be worried about losing control of their IP or getting sued for infringement.

·       Mismatched expectations: Corporations and startups may have different expectations for the collaboration, such as timelines, goals, and outcomes. If these expectations are not aligned, the collaboration can falter.

·       Funding and resources: Startups may need funding and resources to develop their products or services, while corporations may be reluctant to invest in early-stage startups.

·       Trust and credibility: Corporations may be hesitant to collaborate with startups that have no track record or reputation, while startups may be wary of partnering with established corporations that they perceive as slow or risk-averse.

·       Regulatory and legal issues: Collaborating with startups can expose corporations to regulatory and legal risks, such as compliance issues or breach of contracts.

To overcome these barriers, corporations and startups need to develop a mutual understanding of each other's strengths, weaknesses, and goals. They also need to establish clear communication channels, define their expectations, and work on building trust and credibility. Additionally, they should seek expert advice and guidance to navigate IP, legal, and regulatory issues.

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