MNCs are now increasingly engaging with start-ups to get back some of their earlier nimble-footedness; this can create huge value.
The current fascination with entrepreneurship in mainstream society can be clearly seen in the wide coverage they get in the media. Such start-ups are viewed as proactive, nimble and agile, which allows them to be highly innovative and willing to take risks. This is the antithesis of how large multinational corporations (MNCs) are perceived by many: as slower, bureaucratic organisations that are no longer fleet-footed and, therefore, not as innovative or risk-taking as they once were.
Perhaps recognising this themselves, many MNCs are now actively wooing start-ups to engage and co-innovate with them. I recently talked to a number of MNC managers in Bangalore with job titles that, until not so long ago, didn’t exist: ‘Country Head, Startup Ecosystem’, ‘Startup Ecosystem Evangelist’, ‘Director of Startup Business Development’ – which suggests that some MNCs are making a concerted effort to engage start-ups. It wasn’t always like this.
When I first began a research programme in 2006 to study what I call “dancing with gorillas” – that is, how start-ups partner effectively with large MNCs – genuine engagement tended to be ad hoc and rare. The start-ups I studied in India back then had to work very hard to attract the attention of key decision-makers in (mostly US) MNCs. The story in the UK, where also I conducted research at that time, was not very different. Much has changed over the past decade. Nowadays, clearly identifiable network entry points exist for start-ups if they fulfil requisite criteria – typically, one should be developing offerings on top of the MNC’s platform technology. These network-entry points are often designated start-up engagement programmes: Microsoft’s BizSpark, IBM’s Global Entrepreneurship Program, SAP’s Global Startup Focus, to name but a few.
Esta historia es de la edición April 10, 2016 de Business Today.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición April 10, 2016 de Business Today.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
"Moving to cloud helped us grow❞
What was the problem you were grappling with?
She's Got Time
MORE WOMEN ARE BECOMING WATCH CONNOISSEURS, SEEKING OUT BOTH JEWELLED AND TECHNICAL WATCHES FOR THEIR STYLE AND CRAFTSMANSHIP
RISING STAR
PARUL GULATI IS a name that's been steadily gaining prominence in the Indian entertainment industry after she appeared on season 2 of Shark Tank in 2023. She has become a multifaceted personality who effortlessly transitions between acting and entrepreneurship.
Building on a Legacy
WHEN ZAHABIYA KHORAKIWALA stepped into her role as Managing Director of Wockhardt Hospitals over a decade ago, she confronted formidable challenges that have since turned into achievements.
LEADER IN INNOVATION
AS FEDEX'S PRESIDENT (Middle East, Indian subcontinent and Africa), Kami Viswanathan has a lot on her plate.
WAITING IN THE WINGS
Here are those who missed out as they have not yet completed a year in office; they'll be strong contenders in 2025
A DECENT PROPOSAL
IN TODAY'S WORLD OF TRYING TO CREATE AN EQUITABLE SPACE, BOTH MEN AND WOMEN CONTRIBUTE TO THEIR HOUSEHOLDS. WOMEN ARE ENCOURAGED TO HAVE THEIR OWN SAVINGS POOL AND INVESTMENT ROUTINE. GIVEN THIS, HOW SHOULD FUTURE BRIDES APPROACH FINANCIAL PLANNING?
Women and the STEM Bias
EMPOWERING WOMEN IN STEM WILL NOT ONLY BENEFIT INDIVIDUALS, BUT ALSO STRENGTHEN THE ENTIRE INDUSTRY, DRIVING INNOVATION AND PROGRESS.
ROCKET WOMEN
WOMEN IN INDIA ARE NOT ONLY VENTURING INTO SPACE BUT ARE ALSO STARTING TO SPEARHEAD THE COUNTRY'S EFFORTS IN THE GLOBAL SPACE RACE.
ONE STEP FORWARD
THE NUMBER OF WOMEN INDEPENDENT DIRECTORS IS GROWING STEADILY, BUT IT'S A LONG WAY FROM GENDER PARITY. MUCH MORE NEEDS TO BE DONE TO BREAK THE GLASS CEILING IN BOARDROOMS.