Unleashing Startup Innovation-2021 - Corporate Accelerator Forum

FAQ

Take on the future through startup partnership!

To withstand and thrive in uncertainty, your company needs to peer into the future and get ready for it to arrive. That means making serious attempts at solutions that are not guaranteed to work out. Partnering with startups makes sense as a way to mitigate the cost and risk of experimentation, and to take advantage of entrepreneurial mindsets and energy. But how to go about startup partnership in a way that aligns with corporate strategy, structure and culture? While it’s not easy, there are many approaches that work. The Corporate Accelerator Forum curates thoughtful practitioners who lead serious approaches to startup innovation. Come learn with and from peers in the field!

Who you will meet at Unleashing Startup Innovation

Our intimate gathering is curated to focus on corporate innovators who work with startups. Most attendees are on the journey of corporate-startup collaboration: considering, starting, operating or winding down a startup partnership program. We are industry-agnostic. In addition to active practitioners, you’ll also meet key experts from the innovation ecosystem. We keep the numbers low so you’re certain to make a real connection with everyone.

Some Companies You May Meet

Discussion Hosts

Agenda

December 7 – 9, 2021 (Pacific Time)

We’ll be starting our programming promptly at 9 AM. We hope you’ll join early for some extra connection time. You can also use this time to get comfortable with the platform. You can even find a quiet place to work inside the platform if you’d like.

Tuesday, December 7: Ecosystem Strategy

Global Ecosystem Strategy – The most meaningful partnerships could be anywhere — how do innovation leaders make it work to function on a global scale? How to be a great corporate player in a global ecosystem, how to be a key component of an industry ecosystem, and how to work across vastly different economies.

8 AM
Informal social time, and platform exploration

9 AM
Programming starts promptly — Understanding the Landscape

10:30 AM
Discussions — Global Ecosystem Strategy

Strategy: From Country to Regional Healthcare Ecosystem and Beyond hosted by Rosen Dimitrov, Novartis
Value-Chain Strategy for a Big Idea hosted by Shelley Porter, Eastman
Ecosystem Activation, Venture Lab EMEA hosted by Mikel Mangold, Venture Lab, NGK Spark Plug

11:30 AM
Lock In the Learning

12 PM
The morning is complete!

2 PM
Optional in-person site visit, Corning Technology Center, Silicon Valley

Wednesday, December 8: Internal Strategy

Strategy and Structure – We’ve talked about the “Frozen organization” before — now let’s look at the structural root causes and learn from programs that are tackling it head on. The relationship between the startup program, the org chart and company strategy. Purpose and the startup program. Structures that know how to receive startup ideas.

8 AM
Informal social time, and platform exploration

9 AM
Programming starts promptly — Understanding the Landscape

10:30 AM
Discussions — Strategy & Structure

Innovation and the C-Suite hosted by Tolga Kurtoglu, HP
Purpose and Innovation hosted by Margarita Quihuis, Stanford Peace Innovation Lab
The Innovator’s Impact on Strategy hosted by Mohan Nair, Emerge, Inc

11:30 AM
Lock In the Learning

12 PM
The morning is complete!

2 PM
Optional in-person site visit, site to be confirmed!

Thursday, December 9: Engagement Strategy

Engagement Strategy – How to identify and engage with the startups most suited to your current needs, your challenge, your disruptive edge? We’ll look at models that work, and we’ll take on some treasure hunts together!

8 AM
Informal social time, and platform exploration

9 AM
Programming starts promptly — Understanding the Landscape

10:30 AM
Discussions– Engagement Strategy

Choosing a Partner to Take us Beyond What we Do Today hosted by Kevin McCreight, Eastman
How to be a Good Partner while Managing Internal and External Priorities hosted by Amanda Cashin,
Illumina for Startups
Experiments in Corporate-Startup Innovation hosted by Donnell Walton, Corning Inc

11:30 AM
Lock In the Learning

12 PM
The morning is complete!

4 PM
Optional in-person site visit and closing dinner, Illumina Accelerator, San Francisco Bay Area

Though the modality has changed, human cognition, motivation, and the need to innovate together remain the same. We’ve always designed our experiences from a rich understanding of these principles, and we’re looking forward to our Annual Meeting in our proven, travel-optional, globally accessible format.

What to Expect at Unleashing Startup Innovation

Investigate the startup innovation landscape
Explore the systems surrounding this work
Address fundamental challenges of strategy and practice
Meet other innovators
Get access to expert insight
Unique interactive setting

Carefully crafted based on the science of learning, each morning at Unleashing Startup Innovation centers around a compelling theme. You’ll choose between one of three conversations, each hosted by an innovation leader with a powerful story, challenge or framework to share. You’ll speak as much as you listen, and you’ll hone your ideas against strong minds grappling with similar challenges in different settings. The Chatham House Rule creates space to speak freely about reality on the ground. You’re participating the entire time for a matchless learning experience.

Practical, field-tested tools

Real-world stories

High-touch, “sticky” learning environment

Rich visual reporting

Event Format

In 2021 our flagship annual event is hybrid — online each morning (Pacific Time), and in person at key corporate/startup innovation sites in the afternoons:
Tuesday, December 7
Wednesday, December 8
Thursday, December 9

Mornings at Unleashing Startup Innovation are virtual and inclusive for time zones in the US, Europe and Africa. Our videoconferencing platform, Gather.Town, allows you to move between key conversations as best suits your goals.
Our curated event is by and for corporate innovators who work with startups. Participant input enhances the event. It’s our standard practice to prepare for this intimate experience by getting to know every attendee. Once you register, we will reach out to schedule a brief conversation.

As always, you’ll find:

Expand your network

Social time for one-on-ones and small groups

Big-picture group perspective

Carefully crafted interaction with the full community

Intensive discussions

Dive deep into specific strategic considerations with the guidance of seasoned practitioners

Curated community

Everyone in the room is familiar with the front-lines of corporate-startup collaboration and innovation

Curated hosting

Each discussion host is selected for the power of their story, challenge, framework or opportunity

Graphical memories

We capture the most important findings graphically for max retention on your part and max value for your stakeholders

Pricing

$ 1000 One-time payment

Available until
November 14th

Expired

$ 1250 One-time payment

Available from November 15th until November 30th

Expired

$ 1500 One-time payment

Available from December 1st until December 9th

Expired

Price sensitive? If you’re in corporate and engaging with startups, we want to see you. Contact us for discount and volunteer opportunities.
Contact us

Unleashing Startup Innovation
is included with the Membership.

CAF is a membership-based community by and for corporate innovators who work with startups. CAF members attend Unleashing Startup Innovation at no additional charge. If you collaborate with startups from within a large corporation, we invite you to apply for membership.

Frequently Asked Questions

Our corporation has a plan to get involved with startup partnership in the next year or two. Can I join?

Yes! The CAF community and offerings can help you prepare so when the time comes you can hit the ground running. And in the meantime, your questions and awareness of the landscape can contribute to the group’s thinking.

I'm looking for a job in corporate innovation, but I don't have any experience. Can I register?

With no experience and no current connection to a corporate doing this work, you won’t be able to contribute much or make much immediate use of what you learn at Unleashing Startup Innovation. That said, we have a limited number of spots for volunteers — this is a high-touch role that allows you to meet and support the community. Contact us to inquire!

I'm a consultant in the innovation space. Can I register?

This is a no-sales environment. If you’re coming to contribute, it’s a possibility! Please contact us to inquire!

I'd like to travel to Silicon Valley to take part in the in-person meetings. Can you assure me that these live meetings will happen, and will be safe?

Santa Clara and San Mateo counties, where these events will take place, have high vaccination rates, low case rates and good mask compliance. We’ll be following county rules very carefully, as well as the site guidelines, and we’re reasonably confident that in-person meetings will be possible in December. If not, we’ll meet online in the afternoons as well. We’ll be masking when indoors and we’ll provide a way to signal your comfort level with social distance.

Companies we have worked with