The Corproate-Startup Relationship: Perspectives from Both Sides of the Table

What does it actually look like when a large company and a startup decide to work together — and what makes it succeed or fall apart? This panel brings together leaders from Maine anchor companies like Unum and WEX alongside startup founders to have an candid conversation about corporate-startup collaboration from both sides. Large companies will share how they think about engaging with startups such as what they are looking for, how decisions get made, and what founders often get right, or wrong. Startups will share what it takes to navigate a large organization, where the real opportunities are, and what they wish they had known starting enterprise sales. Whether you are a founder trying to land your first corporate customer or partner, or a corporate leader exploring how to work more effectively with the startup community, this session will give you a more honest picture of what the relationship looks like from the other side of the table.