This document discusses best practices for collaboration between startups and established companies. It recommends that established companies define their needs and objectives, get endorsement from C-level executives, champion innovation, and work with startups to address problems. For startups, it advises doing research on potential partners, focusing on high-tech opportunities, and taking advantage of open innovation programs from large companies. The presentation provides an overview of different collaboration tools like accelerators, events, and procurement programs.
Insurers' journeys to build a mastery in the IoT usage
Paolo Lombardi - SMAU Padova 2017
1. TREE SRL
Startup and Established Companies: Best Practices for really
making Open Innovation happen
Evolution of corporate programs for startups and how to grab new opportunities
SMAU PADOVA
31 March 2017
Head of Innovation @ Tree, Mentor in Residence @ TIM WCAP Milano
Paolo Lombardi
2. 2
Disruption
• Uber
• Netflix
• AirBnb
• Amazon
“Disruptive innovation can hurt, if you are not the one doing the disrupting” – Clay Christensen,
Professor at Harvard Business School
Paolo Lombardi
Startup and Established Companies: Best Practices
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Hi, I’m Paolo
“Do. Or do not. There is
no try” Master Yoda
1
I am Head of Innovation at Tree Srl. I am an EE Engineer and hold a
PhD in Artificial Intelligence from University of Pavia, as well as a
Technology Entrepreneurship degree from Santa Clara University,
CA, USA
2
3
I have founded, co-founded or managed 7 startup accelerators
(and counting), I have adviced corporations and SMEs on
collaborating with startups for 5 years
I have co-founded 2 AI-based research spin-offs, 1 startup on
mobile gaming, and I have coached 100+ startup teams
Paolo Lombardi
Startup and Established Companies: Best Practices
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Hi, this is
We help companies, startups and talents build fruitful innovation ecosystems.
We are a leader in Italy in Open Innovation and Entrepreneurial & Digital Education.
Tree is an Innovative SME with sites in Catania, Roma, Bologna, Milano and Trento.
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Startup and Established Companies: Best Practices
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Synopsis
• Why to collaborate
• The way of the large corporations
• What about SMEs?
• Tips & Questions
“It is not about ideas, it is about making ideas happen” – Scott Belsky, CEO Behance
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Startup and Established Companies: Best Practices
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Execution is all (on the right idea)
• Established business models
• Dictatorship decides faster
• A brand feeds on reputation
• Fast is best
“In the digital age, disruption does not really come from technology. It comes from companies being
able to take one part of the value chain, redefine it, and rebuild the architecture of entire industries” -
Stefan Gross-Selbeck, Managing Director BCG Digital Ventures
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David and Goliath
• Credibility and branding
• Customers vs channels
• Suppliers
• Funding
“Startups should be seen as potential partners to create more value for your company, more value for
the consumer, and for the whole industry.” – Giuseppe Zocco, CoFounder Index Ventures
• Culture
• Innovative image
• Speed of operation
• Innovation (process, product)
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Startup and Established Companies: Best Practices
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A toolbox for collaboration
• Platforms, tools, spaces
• Events
• Accelerators / Incubators
• Equity investments and M&A
“Collaboration is the new competition.” – David Amerland, Best Seller Business Journalist
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Corporate Accelerators
“A specific form of seed accelerator which is sponsored by an established for-profit corporation.” –
Wikipedia
• Early stage startups
• Cohorts
• Mentorship
• Capital
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In a galaxy far far away, in 2009…
“Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower” – Steve Jobs
2009 2011 2017
CSR
DM
S&I
2013
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Startup and Established Companies: Best Practices
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Space gets less space
“Andale, andale! Arriba, arriba!” – Speedy Gonzales
2011
2013
2017
Bogota
14
11
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Expansion is energizing
“Enel ha organizzato questo hackaton per cercare soluzioni concrete a problemi reali” - Ernesto Ciorra,
Director Innovation & Sustainability Enel
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B-Ventures… with big ‘b’ or small ‘b’?
“We want to inspire and be inspired.” – Mauro Del Rio, Founder Buongiorno SpA
Paolo Lombardi
The evolution of corporate venture accelerators
• 2013: 10 – 3 – pay
• Incubator times 10
• Mobile Fintech & Digital Content
• Expansion
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Similia similibus solvuntur
• 18b$ for Whatsapp (25p)
• 1b$ Cruise Automotive (30p)
• Tech buys tech
• F500 never were ‘cool startups’
“It does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live.” ― J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's
Stone
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The path to heaven is paved with roadblocks
• Culture clash
• Slow decisions and red tape
• Chase the champion
• 11.5 months
“Company culture is something you breathe every day, not a slide deck you receive the first day you
arrive.” - Massimo Chieruzzi, CEO AdEspresso
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United we stand, divided we fall
“Most great learning happens in groups. Collaboration is the stuff of growth.” – Ken Robinson,
International Advisor on Education
• Investments and spin-offs
• Procurement
• Work for Equity
• Revenue sharing
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Procuring innovation
“Transformation is a process. It's a journey of discovery - there are moments on mountain tops and
moments in deep valleys of despair.” – Rick Warren,
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Startup and Established Companies: Best Practices
Understand needs
Identify
criticalities
Detect
opportunities
Co-design
solutions
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Entrepreneurs embrace(d) risk
“I have not failed. I have just found 10000 ways that won’t work.” – Thomas Edison
• Startup is not just newco
• Motivation vs valuation
• Lock-in is for the weak
• Channels and customers
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Okkam’s razor: shaving costs
“All things being equal, the simplest solution tends to be the best one.”– William of Ockham, XIV
Century Philosopher
• 50% off product development
• Property means productivity
• Selling together
• Of kidnappers and other species
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Tips and chips
• Do your homework
• Time for high tech
• Big Brother is watching you
• Open opportunities
“Sex can be great in your seventies - no Viagra needed - and it certainly beats fish and chips.” – Paul
Daniels, English Magician
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Tips and chips – for startups
• Do your homework
• Time for high tech
• Big Brother is watching you
• Open opportunities
“Sex can be great in your seventies - no Viagra needed - and it certainly beats fish and chips.” – Paul
Daniels, English Magician
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Tips and chips – for established companies
• Define needs and objectives
• C-level endorsement
• Championing innovation
• Do it together
“Sex can be great in your seventies - no Viagra needed - and it certainly beats fish and chips.” – Paul
Daniels, English Magician
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When the going gets tough…
• Thank you!
• Paolo Lombardi
• paolo@tree.it
• @paololombardi
“… the tough get going”, John Belushi in “The Blues Brothers”
Paolo Lombardi
Startup and Established Companies: Best Practices