Comments on: Industry-Startup Co-innovation partnerships : What do you think ? http://www.venturewoods.org/index.php/2008/12/27/industry-startup-co-innovation-partnerships-what-do-you-think/ India's leading venture capital and startup blog Sun, 01 Aug 2010 03:17:10 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3 By: Vijay http://www.venturewoods.org/index.php/2008/12/27/industry-startup-co-innovation-partnerships-what-do-you-think/#comment-296553 Vijay Fri, 02 Jan 2009 06:46:02 +0000 http://www.venturewoods.org/index.php/2008/12/27/industry-startup-co-innovation-partnerships-what-do-you-think/#comment-296553 So, how do investors fit into all this? Or is that something thats getting figured out? But yep, as someone pointed out, if investors can put in money into high potential startups, that'd be awesome as the exit as well would become more definite. Now we just need to define a high potential startup. :) But yep, good work. I think while at one side there are efforts to bridge institutions and the markets, academia is a good field to get into. Need loads of support there for sure. Good going Kallol. So, how do investors fit into all this? Or is that something thats getting figured out? But yep, as someone pointed out, if investors can put in money into high potential startups, that’d be awesome as the exit as well would become more definite.

Now we just need to define a high potential startup. :)
But yep, good work. I think while at one side there are efforts to bridge institutions and the markets, academia is a good field to get into. Need loads of support there for sure.

Good going Kallol.

]]> By: Sanjay http://www.venturewoods.org/index.php/2008/12/27/industry-startup-co-innovation-partnerships-what-do-you-think/#comment-296281 Sanjay Thu, 01 Jan 2009 04:02:20 +0000 http://www.venturewoods.org/index.php/2008/12/27/industry-startup-co-innovation-partnerships-what-do-you-think/#comment-296281 Kallol, This sounds very promising but the devil is in the details. If the large company provides bootstrap resources, an anchor customer and a potential exit for entrepreneurs it could be a win win. The experience in the US where companies like CISCO regularly buy startups is to not get involved in incubation. Others like Intel have corporate VC arms. In the Indian context since the environment is different this approach may work. I would be interested in learning more and watching to see if this works. Kallol,

This sounds very promising but the devil is in the details. If the large company provides bootstrap resources, an anchor customer and a potential exit for entrepreneurs it could be a win win.

The experience in the US where companies like CISCO regularly buy startups is to not get involved in incubation. Others like Intel have corporate VC arms.

In the Indian context since the environment is different this approach may work. I would be interested in learning more and watching to see if this works.

]]> By: Rahul http://www.venturewoods.org/index.php/2008/12/27/industry-startup-co-innovation-partnerships-what-do-you-think/#comment-296134 Rahul Wed, 31 Dec 2008 08:18:42 +0000 http://www.venturewoods.org/index.php/2008/12/27/industry-startup-co-innovation-partnerships-what-do-you-think/#comment-296134 Interesting. A review panel of 33 members is remarkable. Where are the RFPs ? what's the driver for a non-profit approach to this model ? my sentiments on doing good are echoed here - http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/25/opinion/25kristof.html would headstart associated investors in this model also work in seeding high potential startups with Experienced folks for those crucial quarters when a startup is expected to run on it's own steam to prototype a working solution before the first formal investment round ? Interesting. A review panel of 33 members is remarkable. Where are the RFPs ?

what’s the driver for a non-profit approach to this model ? my sentiments on doing good are echoed here - http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/25/opinion/25kristof.html

would headstart associated investors in this model also work in seeding high potential startups with Experienced folks for those crucial quarters when a startup is expected to run on it’s own steam to prototype a working solution before the first formal investment round ?

]]> By: Sum http://www.venturewoods.org/index.php/2008/12/27/industry-startup-co-innovation-partnerships-what-do-you-think/#comment-296121 Sum Wed, 31 Dec 2008 04:34:55 +0000 http://www.venturewoods.org/index.php/2008/12/27/industry-startup-co-innovation-partnerships-what-do-you-think/#comment-296121 Identifying the stakeholders is a huge concern. Historically, corporates as stakeholders in any kind of innovation done by a startup especially in India is almost an unknown. Simply because there is only a market for low cost services and low cost products. There is an interest for getting a clone of something else real cheap. Having interacted with many Indian retail houses - innovation is simply not where they put their money in. They are incapable of committing in terms of resources and more so in terms of initiative. They would be delighted if the startup can provide knowledge and ideas continually for free. Identifying the stakeholders is a huge concern. Historically, corporates as stakeholders in any kind of innovation done by a startup especially in India is almost an unknown. Simply because there is only a market for low cost services and low cost products. There is an interest for getting a clone of something else real cheap. Having interacted with many Indian retail houses - innovation is simply not where they put their money in. They are incapable of committing in terms of resources and more so in terms of initiative. They would be delighted if the startup can provide knowledge and ideas continually for free.

]]> By: Neel Shah http://www.venturewoods.org/index.php/2008/12/27/industry-startup-co-innovation-partnerships-what-do-you-think/#comment-296095 Neel Shah Tue, 30 Dec 2008 23:18:31 +0000 http://www.venturewoods.org/index.php/2008/12/27/industry-startup-co-innovation-partnerships-what-do-you-think/#comment-296095 Please upload the details of upcoming events on our campus scheduled in january 2009. Annual International Management & Cultural Fest - BACKWATERS www.iimkbackwaters.com TiE Business Plan Competition - WHITE KNIGHT http://iimkbackwaters.com/whiteknight09.html BarCamp Kerala 4 www.barcampkerala.org Please upload the details of upcoming events on our campus scheduled in january 2009.

Annual International Management & Cultural Fest - BACKWATERS
www.iimkbackwaters.com

TiE Business Plan Competition - WHITE KNIGHT
http://iimkbackwaters.com/whiteknight09.html

BarCamp Kerala 4
www.barcampkerala.org

]]> By: Puneeth http://www.venturewoods.org/index.php/2008/12/27/industry-startup-co-innovation-partnerships-what-do-you-think/#comment-295671 Puneeth Mon, 29 Dec 2008 18:43:32 +0000 http://www.venturewoods.org/index.php/2008/12/27/industry-startup-co-innovation-partnerships-what-do-you-think/#comment-295671 NineSigma is a for-profit organization, while HeadStart Network is a non-profit Section 25 company. NineSigma is a for-profit organization, while HeadStart Network is a non-profit Section 25 company.

]]> By: Manju Murthy http://www.venturewoods.org/index.php/2008/12/27/industry-startup-co-innovation-partnerships-what-do-you-think/#comment-295664 Manju Murthy Mon, 29 Dec 2008 16:55:06 +0000 http://www.venturewoods.org/index.php/2008/12/27/industry-startup-co-innovation-partnerships-what-do-you-think/#comment-295664 The startup should have its product idea/focus clearly defined, including protecting its IP. The collaboration with industry should help the startup define interfaces, as well as, polish its go-to-market pitch based on the learnings from the collaboration. Headstart's initiative is a good one. Both the big guy and the little guy can win. However, the little guy has to be extremely smart and savvy to benefit from the experience. All the best, Manju The startup should have its product idea/focus clearly defined, including protecting its IP. The collaboration with industry should help the startup define interfaces, as well as, polish its go-to-market pitch based on the learnings from the collaboration.

Headstart’s initiative is a good one. Both the big guy and the little guy can win. However, the little guy has to be extremely smart and savvy to benefit from the experience.

All the best,
Manju

]]> By: Kallol Borah http://www.venturewoods.org/index.php/2008/12/27/industry-startup-co-innovation-partnerships-what-do-you-think/#comment-295561 Kallol Borah Mon, 29 Dec 2008 04:11:22 +0000 http://www.venturewoods.org/index.php/2008/12/27/industry-startup-co-innovation-partnerships-what-do-you-think/#comment-295561 @Indus: Yes, connecting the IITs and other institutes would be great. ACM Bangalore is doing that bit by connecting to global Special Interest Groups (SIGs) for some 25 different areas of work. The SIGs have the best of people from all over the world working in very well defined areas. However, the process is slow as with all ACM related matters, there is paper work and approvals from each SIG and the New York based HQ involved. I hope all that will take the shape of some online + offline interactions as well. @Vijay: Greatly appreciate your views. Yes, it is really important for startups to know what they want for themselves. I think that is where we can pitch in and help. As for work on specific projects, companies will specify narrowly applications that interest them. Issues of IP, etc will come down to project specific agreements. That again will need inputs from us wrt advising startups. I think the next 6 months should be good learning ground with us mapping application areas to the startup pool we have in India, understanding how things go within companies, etc. Of course, we will draw down on the experience from companies that have or have had such programmes of work. @Rahul: Looked at NineSigma, yeah, the concept looks similar, i guess they do it commercially. We are on our hands and feet, somehow balancing needs of our businesses with needs we can fulfil of others. @Indus:
Yes, connecting the IITs and other institutes would be great. ACM Bangalore is doing that bit by connecting to global Special Interest Groups (SIGs) for some 25 different areas of work. The SIGs have the best of people from all over the world working in very well defined areas. However, the process is slow as with all ACM related matters, there is paper work and approvals from each SIG and the New York based HQ involved. I hope all that will take the shape of some online + offline interactions as well.

@Vijay:
Greatly appreciate your views.

Yes, it is really important for startups to know what they want for themselves. I think that is where we can pitch in and help.

As for work on specific projects, companies will specify narrowly applications that interest them. Issues of IP, etc will come down to project specific agreements. That again will need inputs from us wrt advising startups.

I think the next 6 months should be good learning ground with us mapping application areas to the startup pool we have in India, understanding how things go within companies, etc. Of course, we will draw down on the experience from companies that have or have had such programmes of work.

@Rahul:
Looked at NineSigma, yeah, the concept looks similar, i guess they do it commercially. We are on our hands and feet, somehow balancing needs of our businesses with needs we can fulfil of others.

]]> By: Rahul http://www.venturewoods.org/index.php/2008/12/27/industry-startup-co-innovation-partnerships-what-do-you-think/#comment-295381 Rahul Sun, 28 Dec 2008 13:25:34 +0000 http://www.venturewoods.org/index.php/2008/12/27/industry-startup-co-innovation-partnerships-what-do-you-think/#comment-295381 What is headstart's differentiation from ninesigma.com? What is headstart’s differentiation from ninesigma.com?

]]> By: Vijay http://www.venturewoods.org/index.php/2008/12/27/industry-startup-co-innovation-partnerships-what-do-you-think/#comment-295309 Vijay Sun, 28 Dec 2008 08:34:02 +0000 http://www.venturewoods.org/index.php/2008/12/27/industry-startup-co-innovation-partnerships-what-do-you-think/#comment-295309 Kallol: Fabulous initiative and I am glad that someone is looking at this bridge. I would however advise the same thing I'd advise any startup "Have your ideal customer in mind". If you can envision, even better, map a few startups and the kind of startups that need this kind of help, then it makes for a focused and inherently productive initiative. The other thing that is of concern is as to who wins out of this engagement. Is it the startups or the large companies. if not treaded carefully it could turn into a case where one is feeding little animals to the lions in its own den - you get the idea. There are a lot of legal issues. As Indus rightly pointed out, the issues are that the startups could get completely swayed. Is this for product-focused startups or service startups? if so who owns the IP, and if something goes wrong (big company likes idea, but builds its own instead of paying the startup etc) - in such cases who will bail the startup and provide protection, all of that needs to be sorted out. Also look into already existing programs. Honeywell had such initiatives. And TCS has COIN (which as far as i know hasnt taken off). Look to learn what went wrong in them. I think "Innovation" is a slightly dicey word. If we narrow it down to either a product or a patent - or even a tactical advantage to grow the market, things become much more easier to identify, support, nourish and help grow. Kallol: Fabulous initiative and I am glad that someone is looking at this bridge.

I would however advise the same thing I’d advise any startup “Have your ideal customer in mind”. If you can envision, even better, map a few startups and the kind of startups that need this kind of help, then it makes for a focused and inherently productive initiative.

The other thing that is of concern is as to who wins out of this engagement. Is it the startups or the large companies. if not treaded carefully it could turn into a case where one is feeding little animals to the lions in its own den - you get the idea.

There are a lot of legal issues. As Indus rightly pointed out, the issues are that the startups could get completely swayed. Is this for product-focused startups or service startups? if so who owns the IP, and if something goes wrong (big company likes idea, but builds its own instead of paying the startup etc) - in such cases who will bail the startup and provide protection, all of that needs to be sorted out.

Also look into already existing programs. Honeywell had such initiatives. And TCS has COIN (which as far as i know hasnt taken off). Look to learn what went wrong in them.

I think “Innovation” is a slightly dicey word. If we narrow it down to either a product or a patent - or even a tactical advantage to grow the market, things become much more easier to identify, support, nourish and help grow.

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