Startup Scaling

How the Venture Client Model Will Help Your Startup and Corporate Quickly Collaborate and Grow

OK so what is this venture clienting, or venture-client model? I'll show you exactly what it is, and how it benefits your startup to innovate and leapfrog your competition.
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5
Min Read
October 25, 2023

The venture client model (aka venture clienting) is an exciting way to help corporates and startups collaborate, innovate and grow together. This key model offers numerous advantages that may give private businesses a competitive edge in the fast-paced business world.

It can offer better solutions, drive growth and help establish a clear vision for success. By engaging with corporate finance as a source of funding, as well as client revenue streams, startups can accept the challenge of creating innovative new products and services and launch them into the market faster than ever before.

There are two terms for the same practice here. Whether we say venture client or venture clienting, it means that the provider of capital (a VC or CVC company) becomes a client of the startup company which is being funded.

Adopting this strategy can result in strong solutions which gain value, support, and acceptance from established companies. With the right focus and strategic advantage, corporates and startups alike can benefit from the venture client model – so why not take the opportunity to solve bigger challenges together?

What is a Venture Client Model and How Can Startups Use It?

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Innovation has become essential for corporate success in the fast-paced business world. To stay ahead of the competition, many companies have turned to venture client models as a way to collaborate with startups and leverage their innovative ideas.

In this model, startups are challenged to create new products and services that meet certain criteria established by the funding corporation. This approach can result in new solutions that gain value, support, and acceptance from the corporate sector.

With this method, the company providing the VC or CVC, the venture client, is often the first to benefit from an innovative solution, and thus able to leapfrog competition. Adopting this model may provide a competitive advantage over other models due to its unique ability to solve big challenges while moving quickly.

Ultimately, the venture client model can help both corporations and startups realize success. Startups are able to fund their creations while establishing a clear vision for growth and corporates can use their increased innovation capabilities to stay ahead of competitors by capitalizing on this key model.

Catching the Wave of Venture Clients: How Startups Can Benefit From Innovating with Corporations

Venture clienting offer an interesting new way for startups and corporations to collaborate. A venture client model creates a unique partnership between companies, allowing both sides to benefit from each other’s resources in order to innovate more quickly.

For startups, this model offers valuable support from experienced corporates. This means that their ideas may be better received in markets and industries since these organizations are more likely to accept an idea if it has already been tested and supported by key players.

Additionally, focusing on innovation within a venture client program allows for growth opportunities for startups without sacrificing their vision. As well, venture clienting is usually less complicated and much faster than typical joint ventures.  In some cases, venture clienting is even better than being acquired.

Gaining the Value of Your Venture with a Startup Valuation Formula

Another factor to consider in such collaborations is your startup valuation.

A startup's value is based on its potential to create new markets, innovate in existing ones, and offer solutions that challenge the status quo. Knowing this value can be key for corporate investors interested in investing in your venture. To accurately determine your business’s worth, you must first use a startup valuation formula.

Startup valuation formulas are used to calculate an early-stage company's estimated or accepted value by taking into account various financial metrics such as revenue growth rate, unique intellectual property (IP), assets, liabilities, market capitalization, current industry trends, and other factors. By leveraging these data points and conducting research dedicated to their legal structure and competitive advantage, companies may gain better insight into their own value and establish certain expectations among potential investors.

It's important to understand how the startup valuation formula works if you want to engage investors and drive results with your innovative strategy. A successful startup can accept the advantages and benefits of using this model to launch campaigns, solve problems, and gain fast market share. Through careful calculation, startups may increase the likelihood of gaining more investors who might say “yes” to supporting their venture.

To get started, use this investment projection template to model your financial plan.

Fostering Success Through The Venture Client Model

Startups and corporate investors work together to create success by leveraging the venture client model. This method offers a number of advantages and benefits.

  • Test out new strategies with interesting offers to potential clients
  • Conduct dedicated research according to current industry trends and financial metrics
  • Launch campaigns that accept the benefit of using this model
  • Adopt proven legal structures focused on maturity and competitive advantage
  • Give a unique advantage to the provider of capital (the venture client) as the first to benefit from the new solutions of the startup company.
  • The startup company benefits not only from the capital but the early-stage client feedback and testing on the new products and services.

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The Importance of Core Business for Startups in a Client Venture Model

In a client venture model, startups must focus on defining and executing their core business. A startup's core business is the foundation upon which its future success will be built, and getting this right from the outset is essential.

So, what is a core business? Simply put, it's a company's core product or service to its customers. The unique value proposition sets a startup apart from its competitors and provides the basis for sustainable growth. A core business must be profitable and scalable and align with the startup's overall mission and vision.

In a client venture model, startups must establish a strong core business in order to build a loyal customer base and generate recurring revenue. This is crucial for startups looking to attract and retain clients in a competitive marketplace. A well-defined core business also provides a clear direction for the company and helps prioritize decisions, resources, and investments.

However, defining a core business may be challenging for many startups. Startups often have limited resources and time and must make every decision count. It's essential for startups to conduct market research and assess the competitive landscape to ensure their core business is viable and unique. This leads to a strong product-market fit (PMF) which will drive the startup's growth.

Keep in mind, if a solid PMF is not found, the startup must also be consider pivoting if necessary.

Once a startup has defined its core business, it's important to focus on executing it effectively. This requires a clear and actionable strategy and the right team and resources. Startups must also continuously measure and evaluate their core business, making updates as necessary to improve profitability and scalability.

The core business is the backbone of any successful startup in a client venture model. By defining and executing a strong core business, startups build a loyal customer base, generate recurring revenue, and set the foundation for long-term success.

Startups must be strategic, focused, and adaptable in their approach to their core business and prioritize it in their decision-making and operations.

Gaining a Competitive Edge with Wayra's Venture Client Model

Wayra, Telefónica’s innovation arm, is the most global, connected and technological open innovation hub in the world.  We enable startups to collaborate with a powerful partner who help them gain a competitive edge in the startup and business world.

The venture client model allows startups access to dedicated teams that understand their vision and strategy as well as provide financial and legal support for fast growth, better results, and greater innovation.

With Wayra’s venture clienting model, startups are able to test solutions, challenge norms, and innovate with value. It is a powerful way to confidently launch new ideas and solve certain problems.

Get your pitch deck ready. We’d love to hear about your innovative idea.

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Written by
Noral Alfen
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Written by
Noral Alfen

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