Purpose before disclosure
Both parties should understand why information is requested, how it will be evaluated and who will receive it before valuable knowledge is shared.
Fair Partnership Standard
Ten principles for partnerships where both sides can succeed.
A practical conversation framework for founders and established companies before ideas, technology, time and trust are placed at risk.
Why it matters
Good intentions are not enough.
Corporate–startup partnerships combine different resources, cultures, timelines and levels of negotiating power. Those differences can create innovation—but also misunderstanding and unnecessary risk.
The standard is designed to help both sides ask important questions early. It is not a contract, certification or substitute for independent legal advice. It is a shared starting point for a more transparent commercial conversation.
The principles
A balanced foundation for collaboration.
Each principle should be discussed before a pilot, investment, source-code review, data exchange or other material commitment.
Existing ownership stays clear
Products, code, data, customer relationships and intellectual property brought into the relationship remain clearly identified and owned by the contributing party unless otherwise agreed in writing.
New value is addressed in advance
The parties should agree how jointly created intellectual property, improvements, insights and commercial opportunities will be owned or licensed before development begins.
Decision-makers are named
Each side should identify who can approve scope, budgets, technical access, continuation and termination—so neither party is trapped in an endless process.
Milestones and response times are realistic
Pilots should have defined deliverables, dependencies, success measures and response times that reflect the resources and constraints of both organisations.
Value exchange is explicit
Payment, market access, data, expertise, references or other benefits should be described honestly. Exposure alone should not disguise unpaid commercial work.
Exclusivity is limited and justified
Any exclusivity should have a clear purpose, narrow scope and defined duration. It should not prevent a startup from financing or operating its business without fair compensation.
Confidentiality protects both sides
Confidentiality obligations should be proportionate, understandable and mutual where appropriate, without blocking either party from using knowledge it already possessed.
Exit terms are agreed early
The agreement should explain what happens to access, data, materials, licences, unfinished work and public references if the partnership stops.
No use beyond permission
Neither party should use the other’s code, materials, brand, data or confidential contribution outside the agreed purpose without documented permission.
How to use it
Start the conversation before the negotiation becomes difficult.
Founders
Use the principles to prepare questions, identify gaps and decide what must be clarified before sharing valuable information or accepting restrictions.
Corporations
Use them to design transparent engagement models, set realistic expectations and demonstrate that your organisation is prepared to work responsibly with smaller companies.
Advisors and ecosystems
Use the framework in accelerators, investment processes and partnership programmes to create a common language before individual agreements are drafted.
This is a living standard.
Corporate Startup Partnership will refine these principles as we learn from founders, corporations, investors and advisors. Supporting the standard does not certify a company or guarantee the outcome of a particular partnership.
Have experience that could improve it? Share your perspective privately. Please do not send source code, trade secrets or sensitive personal data.