--- title: "BETA Bridges the Gap: A 2021 Look at Startup & Corporation Collab" description: Thanks to Livefront, we were able to host 4 BETA Bridge events, covering how startups and corporations can work together across a variety of industries. image: https://blog.beta.mn/hubfs/Bridge-email%20header_740x375-1.png --- Close - Programs - [Twin Cities Startup Week](https://www.tcstartupweek.com/) - [Accelerator](https://www.beta.mn/join-a-cohort) - [Showcase](https://www.beta.mn/programs-showcase) - [Portfolio](https://www.beta.mn/portfolio) - [Partners](https://www.beta.mn/our-partners) - [Get Involved](https://www.beta.mn/how-to-help) - [Donate Now](https://donate.stripe.com/4gw9CLfHN5GN0RW144) [![Primary\_DkGray-Orange](https://blog.beta.mn/hs-fs/hubfs/Beta%20Logos/Primary_DkGray-Orange.png?width=200&height=50&name=Primary_DkGray-Orange.png)](https://blog.beta.mn/) [![BETA Logo-1](https://blog.beta.mn/hs-fs/hubfs/BETA%20Logo-1.png?width=200&height=50&name=BETA%20Logo-1.png)](https://blog.beta.mn/) - Programs - [Twin Cities Startup Week](https://www.tcstartupweek.com/) - [Accelerator](https://www.beta.mn/join-a-cohort) - [Showcase](https://www.beta.mn/programs-showcase) - [Portfolio](https://www.beta.mn/portfolio) - [Partners](https://www.beta.mn/our-partners) - [Get Involved](https://www.beta.mn/how-to-help) - [Donate Now](https://donate.stripe.com/4gw9CLfHN5GN0RW144) [Laura Beier](https://blog.beta.mn/author/laura-beier) Dec 6, 2021, 10:45:47 AM 20 min read # BETA Bridges the Gap: A 2021 Look at Startup & Corporation Collab [Previous Post](https://blog.beta.mn/beta-alum-wesparkle-grows-team-and-lands-investment) [Next Post](https://blog.beta.mn/2021-beta-recap) The combination of Fortune 500s with an active ecosystem gives Minnesota a competitive advantage. The [BETA Bridge](https://livefront.com/) program, powered by[Livefront](https://livefront.com/), is where these two communities meet to explore new ways to work together.  BETA Bridge measurably increases the collaboration between corporations and startups in Minnesota through intentional connection and conversation. This year, we changed the format to intimate roundtables spanning four industries — and we're finally sharing insights from these conversations. Explore key takeaways here! **Q1: Food & Ag Roundtable** **Participants:** [Casey Shultz](https://www.linkedin.com/in/caseyshultz/) - Executive Director of BETA [Nels Pederson](https://www.linkedin.com/in/nels-pederson-13b11536/) - Partnerships, Livefront  [Brett Brohl](https://www.linkedin.com/in/brett-brohl-7478851/) - Managing Director - Techstars Farm to Fork Accelerator [Sam Hsu](https://www.linkedin.com/in/samhsu/) - EVP Strategic Planning, Ecolab [Jennifer Barta](https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifersbarta/) - R&D Director Dairy Foods Product Platforms and Innovation, Land O Lakes [Robert Forsythe](https://www.linkedin.com/in/robforsythe/) - CEO, Milk Movement [Nhat Nguyen](https://www.linkedin.com/in/nhat-nguyen-7b936356/) - CEO & Cofounder, Otrafy [Leena Pradhan](https://www.linkedin.com/in/leenapradhannabzdyk/) - CEO & Cofounder, Canomiks [Amol Dixit](https://www.linkedin.com/in/amoldixit/) - Director, G-Works Startup Incubator, General Mills   - **Key Takeaways for Startups:** - When approaching a larger corporation, it’s important to make sure that there is alignment on the purpose and difference that the partnership could make. Make sure you align on the timing and how to make it a “win win”. - Understand the pain point that you’re solving. Really understanding who is feeling that pain point in the organization and connecting with them and showing that you have an important solution. Turn them into your strongest advocate.  - Value proposition needs to be a minimum of $3 saved for every $1 spent. - Before engaging with a corporate partner: Figure out if you need FDA approval, and identify what compliance/ certifications you need and start creating the processes necessary to meet the certification requirements. - **Key Takeaways for Corporations:** **Q2: Retail Roundtable** **Participants:** [Casey Shultz](https://www.linkedin.com/in/caseyshultz/) - Executive Director of BETA [Nels Pederson](https://www.linkedin.com/in/nels-pederson-13b11536/) - Partnerships, Livefront  [Ryan Broshar](https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanbroshar/) - Founder & Partner, Matchstick Ventures [Luis Moncayo](https://www.linkedin.com/in/luis-moncayo-castillo-212a98121/) - CEO, Inspectorio [Frank Jackman](https://www.linkedin.com/in/frank-jackman/) - Cofounder & CEO, Local Crate [Liz Giorgi](https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabethgiorgi/)- Cofounder & CEO, soona  [Joe Serrano](https://www.linkedin.com/in/joeserranoinnovates/) - Director of Digital Strategy, Best Buy [Eric Caron](https://www.linkedin.com/in/ecaron/) - Sr. Director of Customer Applications at Caribou Coffee   - **Key Takeaways for Startups:** - **Key Takeaways for Corporations:**   **Q3: Fintech Roundtable ** **Participants:** [Casey Shultz](https://www.linkedin.com/in/caseyshultz/) - Executive Director of BETA [Nels Pederson](https://www.linkedin.com/in/nels-pederson-13b11536/) - Partnerships, Livefront  [Elizabeth Caven](https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabethcaven/?miniProfileUrn=urn%3Ali%3Afs_miniProfile%3AACoAAArGm1IBIHx68Si9QA3WqPBdy4k5nnctqME) - gener8tor (now General Partner at Mairs & Power Venture Capital) [Susan Langer](https://www.linkedin.com/in/susanlanger/) - CEO, Space [Michael Noble](https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelnoblempls/) - CEO, Apruve [Jeremy Langeness](https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremylangness/) - Head of Partnerships, Branch [Lee Luscher](https://www.linkedin.com/in/lee-l-9865722/) - VP of Strategic Partnerships, Sezzle [Amanda Thorne](https://www.linkedin.com/in/amandathorne/) - Digital Strategy & Strategic Partnerships, Securian [Meghan Kober](https://www.linkedin.com/in/meghankober/) - Senior Fintech Analyst/ Innovation, U.S. Bank   - **Key Takeaways for Startups:**  - **Key Takeaways for Corporations:**  **Q4: Edtech Roundtable** **Participants:** [Kelly Schultze](https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelly-schultze-05259013b/) - Interim Executive Director, BETA [Nels Pederson](https://www.linkedin.com/in/nels-pederson-13b11536/) - Partnerships, Livefront [Eddie Olson](https://twitter.com/edyoson_?lang=en) - Managing Director of the OnRamp Education & Workforce Innovation Accelerator at gener8tor [Josh Thelemann](https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshthelemann/) - CEO, Proserva [Carlos Seoane](https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlosseoane/) - CEO, Extempore [Josh Slayton](https://www.linkedin.com/in/josh-slayton-ba6a541/) - ECMC Group  [Heidi Lund](https://www.linkedin.com/in/heidilundproductmanager/) - Product Manager, Renaissance Learning [Andrew Morrow](https://www.linkedin.com/in/admorrow/) - Manager, Business Development and Software Licensing at Technology Commercialization, University of Minnesota [Dieumerci Christel](https://www.linkedin.com/in/dieumerci-christel-114434122/) - CEO, Enlight App   - **Key Takeaways for Startups:** - **Key Takeaways for Corporations:** - **Resources:** **Learn More:** **About BETA Bridge:** [BETA Bridge](https://www.beta.mn/programs-bridge) brings together key players in startups and corporations to see how they can best work together. Supported by[Livefront](https://livefront.com/), you can learn more about the program [here.](https://www.beta.mn/programs-bridge) **About BETA** BETA is a 501(c)(3) organization that develops Minnesota’s next generation of business leaders by inspiring and educating first-time founders. The BETA Group nurtures startups and small businesses with great scalability potential, so that they can grow to become our next Fortune 100s. [Learn more.](https://beta.mn/) ## RELATED ARTICLES ##### [Laura Beier Dec 15, 2021, 12:17:49 PM 9 min read 2021 BETA Recap from the team 2021 continued to be an unprecedented year, but it also brought back in-person events for the startup community, a wonderful ... Start Reading](https://blog.beta.mn/2021-beta-recap) ##### [Laura Beier May 20, 2021, 1:47:11 PM 10 min read BETA Backers Sparks Connection for Startups As part of our programming to uplift Minnesota founders and propel startup growth in the Twin Cities, we hosted another BETA ... Start Reading](https://blog.beta.mn/beta-backers-sparks-connection-for-startups) ##### [Laura Beier Nov 11, 2021, 3:45:46 PM 11 min read Coworking and Connections: BETA adds mentorship to cohort Historically, the BETA Cohort experience has included 12 weeks of programming, the ability to participate in community events ... Start Reading](https://blog.beta.mn/beta-mentors-set-founders-up-for-success) [![BETA Logo](https://blog.beta.mn/hubfs/Beta%20Logos/BETA%20Logo.svg)](https://blog.beta.mn/) The Beta Group (BETA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization providing Minnesota's technology startup founders the resources + relationships required to scale their companies. 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