For corporates
Start with your industrial need. Discover and assess technology companies, design collaboration and support pilots and commercial development.
A structured approach
Global scouting, independent evaluation and focused collaboration to identify technologies with the greatest potential for future product development. Designed for technologies 1–3 years ahead of procurement.
Align on the strategic challenge, technical requirements and target product horizon.
Identify emerging technologies worldwide through startups, university spinouts, research institutes and industry partners.
Independently assess technical relevance, innovation, commercial maturity and collaboration potential.
Bring selected technology providers and your team together for technical discussions and collaboration assessment.
Your team advances the strongest opportunities toward proof of concept, co-development and product integration, with CM support as needed.
Before kick-off, agree why the program is needed, what you have already tried, how success will be measured and what support you can offer selected startups, such as a joint development agreement, grants or non-recurring engineering funding. Your team provides expert interviews, technical context, design constraints and previous learnings.
A full day in person at CM Venture’s office, including a four-hour curated workshop. Meet 3–8 technology providers selected through scouting and evaluation, with moderated discussions and one-to-one meetings.
A year-round partnership
The 12-month Startup Connects package includes two complete 12-week Open Innovation programmes, each culminating in a workshop, alongside year-round access to CM’s office for occasional use by your Open Innovation staff and a corporate brand/product exhibition.
Two 12-week cycles of challenge definition, scouting, evaluation, workshops and follow-up, scheduled around your priorities.
Year-round office access for Open Innovation staff when needed, such as meeting startups visiting CM. Use is coordinated with our team.
Display your corporate brand, products and collaboration priorities at CM’s Shanghai office throughout the year.
Business outcomes
Workshops connect real industrial needs with the right technology partners and collaboration models.
CM hosted an Open Innovation event at Henkel’s Inspiration Center Shanghai in February 2026, attended by key function heads from its business units.
| Corporate team | Business need | Startup fit | Collaboration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business development | New markets and products | Commercial products, manufacturing and distribution capability | SKU integration |
| Sales | Grow sales of existing products | Platforms that promote products or develop new applications | Strategic partnerships |
| R&D | New technologies and products | Original IP and complementary innovations | Joint development agreement |
| Application engineering | Customer solutions | Complementary solutions that extend the product ecosystem | Joint marketing and sales |
March 2026 · Gas adsorption
The challenge
Find breakthrough technologies for battery thermal runaway mitigation and next-generation filtration materials.
Alignment with R&D priorities and significant technical participation.
November 2025 · NC R&D Open Innovation team
The challenge
Find breakthrough technologies for next-generation consumer products, advanced materials and device innovation.
Technical expertise recognized and long-term partnership development.
These are outcomes from individual corporate projects.
Experience & perspectives
A case and interview from CM’s existing corporate and portfolio ecosystem—the experience on which our advisory offering builds.
Partnership case
CM Venture introduced Yokogawa to Sengong and coordinated the relationship as it developed into collaboration around real production needs.
Through the introduction and ongoing coordination provided by CM Venture, Yokogawa was able to establish contact with Sengong and gradually evolve an initial exchange into a deep collaboration grounded in real-world production scenarios.
CM Venture not only helped us gain a comprehensive understanding of Sengong's business, technologies, and growth needs, but also played a critical role in building mutual trust, identifying potential points of synergy, and facilitating subsequent communications. Through multiple rounds of executive-level exchanges and on-site plant assessments, the Yokogawa team further clarified Sengong's specific requirements in production automation, digitalization, and operational optimization, propelling the relationship from early-stage engagement to project-based cooperation and long-term strategic alignment.
For us, this is a highly representative case that demonstrates how a professional open innovation partner can help multinational corporations more efficiently connect with outstanding Chinese hard-tech startups and transform potential synergies into tangible business opportunities.
Corporate partner interview
4:09 · English subtitles are embedded in the video.
Arkema’s R&D and Open Innovation leaders discuss participating in China’s active innovation ecosystem and connecting with startups and industry peers through the CM platform.
Also featuring Eldon Wu, Deputy Director of R&D, Arkema Greater China, and Grace Li, Open Innovation Manager, Arkema Greater China.
