What happens when startups take on corporate giants? And what if innovation could fix some of the biggest financial challenges of our time?

Season 1 of There’s a Startup for That had it all. In this blog, we’re revisiting two standout episodes: one exploring how startups and large companies can successfully collaborate, and another diving into how one of the world’s biggest brands is rethinking its entire approach to innovation.

From corporate innovation strategies to fintech disruption, these conversations highlight the power of partnerships to drive change. Let’s dive in.

#SaveTheCorporate Ep.3 – Gorillas Can Dance

Key Takeaway

Dancing with a gorilla might sound risky (and not just for your toes), but when it comes to corporate-startup partnerships, it’s an essential skill. In this episode, Dr Shameen Prashantham, Professor of International Business & Strategy at China Europe International Business School and author of Gorillas Can Dance, shared how startups and big corporates can make these collaborations work—without getting crushed in the process.

Episode Highlights:

• Why Big and Small Need Each Other
  Startups gain credibility, resources, and market access. Corporates get the agility and fresh thinking. But while this sounds like a perfect match, there are hurdles to overcome.
• The Three Big Asymmetries
  Dr. Shameen broke down three major challenges that often derail corporate-startup partnerships:
• How to Build Long-Term Success
  Companies like Microsoft and Unilever have turned startup collaborations into a repeatable innovation strategy. From accelerators to venture arms, structured partnerships are the key to real impact.

   

  Standout Quotes:
  
  “Startups don’t have much of a choice—they need to learn to dance with the big gorilla.”

  – Dr. Shameen Prashantham on why startups must engage with corporates to scale.

  “The very differences that make corporate-startup partnerships exciting are also what make them hard.”
  – A reminder that agility and structure must be balanced for innovation to succeed.

  “Business as usual isn’t enough anymore.”
  – Why corporates need to embrace external innovation to stay competitive.

  Fancy listening to the full episode? 

#IntoTheFuture Ep.9 – Reckitt Futures

Key Takeaway

If businesses want to stay relevant, they can’t just look inward—they need to look outward. In this episode, we sat down with Jos Harrison, Global Head of Brand Experience and Design at Reckitt, to explore how the company is working with external partners and rethinking its entire business model to stay ahead of the curve.

Episode Highlights:

• • Adapting to a Changing World
    Reckitt Futures is tackling sustainability, shifting regulations, and evolving consumer expectations head-on. The goal? To lower carbon footprints and rethink how products are made, packaged, and distributed.
  • From Products to Services
    Instead of selling single-use items, Reckitt is exploring service-based models like local refill systems. This could cut waste, reduce emissions, and create new business opportunities.
  • Innovation Through Collaboration
    True transformation requires external expertise. Reckitt is partnering with sustainability experts, startups, and local providers to drive new, scalable business solutions.

  Standout Quotes:
  
  

  “The biggest challenge isn’t just logistics—it’s communication.”
  — On why getting a massive organisation on board with change is no small feat.

  “Consumer is the exact opposite for me. We don’t exist to consume.”
  — On why Reckitt prefers to think of people as users, advocates, and customers—but never just “consumers.”

  “Sustainability needs to feel personal. We need to conflate it with things like convenience, speed, and performance.”
  — On making sustainable choices feel like the obvious choice.
  

  Fancy listening to the full episode? 

Final Thoughts: Innovation Through Collaboration

The common thread in both episodes? Partnerships matter. Whether it’s corporates working with startups to drive innovation or global brands rethinking their entire business models, the best ideas rarely come from working in silos.

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