Building Strategic Corporate Partnerships

Startup x Corporate: The Success Formula

Win-win partnerships are characterised by balance, where parties have aligned goals and leverage complementary strengths. The key is understanding which type of partnership best suits your startup and how to position your company to attract corporate investors. This masterclass will explore a tried and tested strategy developed over more than 20 years of working with large corporations:

• The Right Deal: Start-ups and corporations can partner at any stage of the product lifecycle. The key is building a partnership that aligns with your objectives, resources, and capabilities�“guided by evidence and strong valuations.
• The Right Partner: Not all corporations have the strategic fit, financial capacity, or risk appetite for your opportunity. A well-aligned partner is more likely to invest resources, drive progress, and generate long-term value.
• The Right People: Large organisations are complex, and different teams handle different deals. Identifying internal champions�“those who believe in your value, have strong networks, and can advocate for you�“is critical.
• The Right Message: Effective communication is key to securing partnerships. Borrowing from marketing, I use tools like funnels and sales processes to craft materials that guide stakeholders through structured decision-making.

No time to watch a masterclass? Download the content in PDF format:

Location: Online virtual masterclass (available on-demand)

Duration: 1.5 h

Price: Free

Dr. Sophie Laurenson (PhD / Executive MBA)
CEO and Founder, MedDev Central

With a PhD (Biophysics/Bioengineering in Oncology) and Executive MBA, Sophie Laurenson brings two decades of experience at the intersection of science, business, and investment. For nearly a decade, she led open innovation and corporate investment programmes at Abbott, driving partnerships and strategic collaborations across the business.

As a technical due diligence expert, she has evaluated technologies and startups worldwide, shaping investment decisions and guiding corporate strategy. Beyond Abbott, she has consulted for multiple global medical device and pharmaceutical companies, advising on product pipelines, investments (BD&L), and commercialisation pathways.

With deep expertise in business development and licensing (BD&L), Dr. Laurenson brings the insider perspective of a corporate investor�“understanding exactly how corporates assess opportunities, what drives decision-making, and how startups can position themselves to succeed.

As the founder of several startups and spin-outs, combining hands-on entrepreneurial experience with corporate insight. This unique perspective allows her to guide clients through both the startup and corporate lens, helping them craft strategies that are realistic, actionable, and investor-ready.

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