Article: Startup-corporation relationship forms: systematic literature review and the possible paths Journal: International Journal of Business Performance Management (IJBPM) 2026 Vol.27 No.2 pp.184 - 208 Abstract: Startups seek to scale innovative business models and corporations need speed to launch new products and services based on innovations. It seems a perfect relationship match. However, to achieve this, it is necessary to establish partnerships with these agents. To have a good relationship, it is important to understand what the partnership involves. This is the main objective of this study. These relationships reveal different forms of interaction, characteristics, and particularities. To understand the key elements involved in the relationship with startups and corporations, it developed a systematic literature review (SLR) with 58 academic references, with the majority extracted from the Scopus and Web of Science (WOS) databases. From these references were constructed a framework that outlines the main stages of this relationship: 1) the beginning of the relationship; 2) the purpose of the relationship; 3) the forms of the relationship; 4) corporate programs. The framework provides startup owners with a guidance structure for engaging with large companies. Inderscience Publishers - linking academia, business and industry through research

Title: Startup-corporation relationship forms: systematic literature review and the possible paths

Authors: Marisangela Bastos Lima Csik; Alvair Silveira Torres Junior

Addresses: Faculty of Economy, Business, Accounting and Actuarial Science (FEA), University of São Paulo (USP), Avenida Professor Luciano Gualberto, 908-Butantã, São Paulo/SP-05508-010, Brazil ' Faculty of Economy, Business, Accounting and Actuarial Science (FEA), University of São Paulo (USP), Avenida Professor Luciano Gualberto, 908-Butantã, São Paulo/SP-05508-010, Brazil

Abstract: Startups seek to scale innovative business models and corporations need speed to launch new products and services based on innovations. It seems a perfect relationship match. However, to achieve this, it is necessary to establish partnerships with these agents. To have a good relationship, it is important to understand what the partnership involves. This is the main objective of this study. These relationships reveal different forms of interaction, characteristics, and particularities. To understand the key elements involved in the relationship with startups and corporations, it developed a systematic literature review (SLR) with 58 academic references, with the majority extracted from the Scopus and Web of Science (WOS) databases. From these references were constructed a framework that outlines the main stages of this relationship: 1) the beginning of the relationship; 2) the purpose of the relationship; 3) the forms of the relationship; 4) corporate programs. The framework provides startup owners with a guidance structure for engaging with large companies.

Keywords: literature review; startups; corporates; framework; engagement; relationship; open innovation; startup-corporate relationship.

DOI: 10.1504/IJBPM.2026.152308

International Journal of Business Performance Management, 2026 Vol.27 No.2, pp.184 - 208

Accepted: 21 Apr 2024
Published online: 16 Mar 2026 *

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Title: Startup-corporation relationship forms: systematic literature review and the possible paths

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