Corporate Venturing Squads: Multi-Company Innovation Model

Multiple companies are now forming collaborative 'Corporate Venturing Squads' to accelerate innovation. These squads enable knowledge sharing and expanded access to capital for participants. Faced with increasing market fragmentation, organizations are using this model to address complex challenges, including environmental, social, and governance (ESG) objectives. IESE Business School research indicates that these squads differ from traditional partnerships by involving multiple entities working toward common goals. The 100+ Accelerator and MobilityXLab serve as examples of large corporations engaging in structured, multi-party alliances. These collaborations provide members with enhanced access to promising startups and strengthen their position within innovation networks. The research found a 37% increase in access to startups and a 29% improvement in members' innovation ecosystem positioning. By emphasizing structured facilitation and leveraging diverse expertise, these alliances show potential for accelerating innovation across industries. The squads represent a shift towards multi-corporate collaboration to generate shared value and tackle global challenges more effectively. This approach allows companies to pool resources and expertise, leading to more impactful solutions than individual efforts.