#3 - The Art of Sourcing and Engaging Startups w/ Karen Dams (Brussels Airport) & Andrew Erlick (Reckitt)

Note: We experienced a minor technical issue with the microphone during this recording, so the audio quality may not be perfect at times. Thanks for your patience—we promise the insights are worth it!

Welcome to another episode of The Corporate Venturing Podcast!

Startups are becoming an increasingly vital source of innovation for corporations—but what does it take to build successful partnerships? How can large enterprises collaborate effectively with agile startups to drive real business impact?

In this episode, I sit down with Karen Dams, Strategy and M&A Manager at Brussels Airport, and Andrew Erlick, Innovation Manager at Reckitt, to explore the art of sourcing and engaging startups. Drawing from their experience in industries as diverse as aviation and consumer goods, they share practical insights on:

• Why startups are a crucial driver of innovation and agility for corporations.

• How large companies can effectively identify and evaluate promising startups.

• The best collaboration models—venture clienting, accelerators, corporate venture capital, and beyond.

• Overcoming common challenges in startup engagement, from internal resistance to governance hurdles.

• The future of corporate-startup partnerships—what trends are shaping the next wave of innovation?

Whether you’re leading an innovation team, a startup founder looking to partner with corporates, or simply curious about the evolving world of corporate venturing, this episode offers actionable strategies to navigate the landscape successfully.

Resources:

• Open Road Ventures

• Bundl Venture Club

Don’t forget to follow, rate, and hit the bell button to stay updated on the latest episodes.

Stay curious, keep innovating, and we’ll see you next time on The Corporate Venturing Podcast!