Roche, Johnson & Johnson, Merck, Volkswagen are among the ten biggest R&D spenders worldwide, and they all have one thing in common: they are all working with startups to foster innovation. By joining forces, both startups and corporations’ benefit from the partnership and strengthen their market positions. If you’re wondering what secret sauce is needed to identify and maintain successful partnerships, we have the right training for you. Last year, we gave you all the tips and tricks to prepare your best pitch, and now it's time for you to take a step further and learn how to approach the right partners. On 27 January, our Coach Chris Kirby will provide all tips on finding and selecting partners, guidelines for successful contract negotiation, and how to build long-lasting relationships. Also, the event will include a panel with the EIC Advisory Board Member and Chairwoman of the Executive Board at Startup Norway, Anita Krohn Traaseth. Anita is one of Scandinavia's most successful businesswomen and will share her views and experience on strategic partnerships.  

Register here (registrations are open until 26 January).

Date: 27 January 2022 

Facilitator: Chris Kirby 

Keynote speakers: Anita Krohn Traaseth

Duration: 3:30h (9:30h – 13h00 CET)

Key objectives 

• Contribute to pave the way of female leaders on acquiring long-lasting and strategic business partners to solidify their companies and research
• Develop a crucial set of skills to scout, address and keep the right partners for their product/ technology, including a monitoring approach
• Share what it takes to search and screen for strategic partnerships by examining case studies and examples.
• Determine which skills are needed to make the most of search and screening and apply the lessons to your own strategic partnership situation.

Meet the Facilitator

Chris is an experienced entrepreneur, business leader and coach, who has founded and grown two high-technology engineering companies. He has a track record of selling new technologies internationally to large corporations in market sectors including automotive, aerospace, renewable energy, defence and oil & gas. Chris has significant experience securing finance from the investor community and grants from the UK government and EU. He also has considerable strategic IP experience, managing large patent portfolios and negotiating complex contracts with multinationals. He has been coaching and mentoring high growth technology companies since 2014 and combines this with performing business turnarounds. He has grown and motivated effective teams that have delivered investor value and technical and commercial presentations at academic and trade conferences.

Additional information

The EIC Women Leadership Programme participants have to join at least 75% of these events. These events are important steps that will mark your participation in the EIC Women Leadership Programme, so you should really strive to be present. If your participation is not possible, please inform the organisation team as soon as you can.

About the EIC Business Acceleration Services

This opportunity is brought to you by the EIC Business Acceleration Services. To explore other opportunities to connect with the largest corporates in Europe, keep an eye on our events page. 

About the EIC Women Leadership Programme

The EIC WLP aims to enhance skills and promote networking for women in the EIC Community. In doing so, the EIC seeks to increase the number of women-led companies created and succeeding in business, and increase diversity in innovation and tech. The EIC Women Leadership Programme will also establish several partnerships with experienced European Female organisations to deliver training and networking events that go beyond its own network, bringing unique and novel opportunities. 

Need help?

For additional information, please refer to our helpdesk (please choose 'EIC Women Leadership Programme' as the subject).