Podcast on cooperation between SMEs & startups
In the latest episode of “Gründungsupdate“, presented by the RKW Competence Center, Christoph Baier, founder of Ambivation, talks about the connection between SMEs and startups. The focus is on the “Mittelstand–meets–Startup–Study 2023“, which sheds light on how chance and strategic matchmaking influence how companies come together. Baier discusses the importance of trade fairs for networking and how SMEs that were previously hesitant can be opened up to cooperation. The episode underlines the positive effect of openness for entrepreneurial success.
In the latest episode of the podcast “Gründungsupdate”, presented by the RKW Competence Center, Christoph Baier, founder of Ambivation, was the focus of the conversation. Hosts Dr. Matthias Wallisch and Martin Deschauer led the audience through an in-depth discussion about the connections between SMEs and startups. Christoph Baier, whose company has specialized in matchmaking and innovation management since 2016, shared insights from the “Mittelstand–meets–Startup–Study 2023“ and discussed the often challenging task of finding the perfect startup for a medium–sized company.
The episode highlighted the role of chance in the creation of business contacts and explored how targeted initiation strategies can successfully initiate collaborations. Trade fairs were highlighted as an important platform for such encounters, with particular emphasis placed on the increasing importance of startup matchmaking formats.
The importance of both hard and soft factors in initiating and maintaining collaborations was also questioned in the discussion with Christoph Baier. The contribution of start-ups to solving social and ecological challenges was also the focus of the dialog. Christoph Baier emphasized that SMEs have become more open to collaborating with start-ups in recent years, although the full potential of these connections has not yet been exploited. However, a significant proportion of SMEs remain isolated without actively seeking contact with startups.
The RKW Competence Center, as a voice and platform for SMEs, took the opportunity to discuss how even reluctant companies can be reached and won over for collaborations. To conclude the episode, the risk perception of SMEs was addressed, with the study results suggesting a positive correlation between openness to collaboration with startups and the achievement of corporate goals.
The episode refers to valuable resources for further information, such as the EMO trade fair in Hanover, where a special startup area offers the opportunity for direct matchmaking. The “Gründungsupdate“ podcast is thus establishing itself as an informative source for anyone interested in understanding and improving the ecosystem between SMEs and startups.
Links:
- To the podcast episode also at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, podcast.de and Deezer.
- RKW Kompetenzzentrum – Mittelstand meets Startup
- Ambivation
- Cooperation Canvas
- Startup Challenges
- EMO Messe Hannover – Startup-Area
Hosts of the podcast:
About Ambivation
Ambivation connects innovative companies and startups for cooperation and innovation partnerships. As an innovation consultancy and matchmaker, Ambivation promotes cooperation between established companies and startups within the framework of concrete customer, supplier and research partnerships. We support companies in the identification of needs, startup identification, startup evaluation and cooperation initiation with startups. Formats such as research on relevant startups, startup monitoring, strategic cooperation consulting or event formats such as startup tours serve this purpose. Our monthly newsletter also provides information on current examples of cooperation and events.
