Introduction to Corporate Collision
The Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation recently hosted Corporate Collision at TechNexus, an event that brought together over 120 startup founders, innovation leaders, investors, and subject-matter experts. This event provided a unique platform for corporates to engage directly with top emerging startups from the Polsky Center’s flagship science accelerator programs, including Duality, Transform, and Resurgence.
The Event
The evening kicked off with a dynamic panel discussion, “From Investment to Impact: Structuring Corporate-Startup Partnerships for Success.” The panel featured Matt Marrone, shareholder at McAndrews, Held & Malloy, Ltd; Chris Sipos, lead analyst at United Airlines Venture; and Jenna Leigh Glass, managing director at Trade – Export Controls & Sanctions, KPMG. Erin Martell, director of venture investments at TechNexus Venture Collaborative, moderated the discussion. Together, they explored case studies and best practices for navigating complex IP landscapes, managing risk, and aligning incentives to drive successful, long-term collaborations between corporates and startups.
Breakout Sessions and Corporate Participation
Following the panel, attendees split into breakout sessions to hear from startups across the quantum, cleantech, and data science and AI space. Corporates also took the stage to share more about their innovation needs, from aviation sustainability and healthcare solutions to next-gen semiconductors and digital transformation. Among the participants were United Airlines, LanzaTech, Kyocera Ventures, PsiQuantum, Google, Allstate, i.c. Stars, University of Chicago Medicine, JP Morgan Chase, IBM, Boeing, and AbbVie.
Networking and Partnership Opportunities
The evening concluded with a vibrant networking reception, giving startups and corporates the chance to continue conversations sparked earlier in the program. Participants also had the opportunity to book follow-up meetings, explore partnership ideas, and find alignment on shared challenges and goals. The event was made possible thanks to support from sponsors McAndrews, Held & Malloy and TechNexus.
Conclusion
The Corporate Collision event provided a valuable platform for startups and corporates to come together and explore pathways for impactful collaboration. By sharing knowledge, expertise, and resources, these partnerships can drive innovation and growth in various industries. To learn more about partnership opportunities with the Polsky Center’s startup accelerators or to participate in future events, please reach out to the team at polskycenter@uchicago.edu. With its unique approach to fostering collaboration and innovation, the Polsky Center continues to empower startups and corporates to create a better future.
