I’m researching an idea for how large enterprises which are not technology companies can promote innovation in their areas of interest. My proposal: hire a true Enterprise Entrepreneur in Residence, whose defined KPI is: Quit my job. (No, that’s not a typo). This idea would have a trivial cost: just the person’s compensation. The...
[Continue Reading]How entrepreneurs and executives can work with private equity and VC funds
I presented a few weeks ago to the American Marketing Association Executive Forum on how their members can work with and earn money from private equity and venture capital funds. I discussed all of the major engagement models: Expert Networks, Consulting, Interim Executives, Advisors, Board Members, Deal Executives, and Executives in Residence/Entrepreneurs in Residence. I’ve...
[Continue Reading]A trial balloon: How large corporates can coinvest with their employees’ angel investing
Many large corporations face three seemingly disconnected challenges; they want: – Better returns on their balance sheet and underfunded pensions; – Access to the innovation economy to stay on top of the early-stage companies attacking their business; and – Unique employee benefits to retain and excited senior talent. So, I have an idea which addresses...
[Continue Reading]Corporate VC: obligatory or oxymoron?
When I meet with executives from large corporations, they’re often worried. And they should be; the feeding frenzy in the innovation economy is in some cases because startups are eating the lunch of more established companies. To quote a friend, if you’re an executive at an established company, your job is to blow on the ice...
[Continue Reading]How enterprise can learn from the innovation economy
One of the core functions of a VC is to identify the next generation of disruptive companies. I presented last month to a Microsoft senior executive offsite on how large corporations can do the same, to inform their investing, M&A, and competitive intelligence. My presentation was based on my research on deal origination best practices...
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