David + Goliath: How Startups Can Partner with Big Companies

Classroom

A partnership with a big brand can be a tremendous opportunity for any startup, but the path to closing such deals is fraught with challenges and potential missteps. Building on Skillshare Master Teacher Scott Pollack's popular Biz Dev 101 class, this class will help take your business development skills to the next level.

Topics include:

Big Corporate Biz Dev: how big companies think, and how they evaluate potential deals
Getting In: how to reach out, break in, and engage a big company in partnership discussions
Sealing the Deal: Tricks and tips to navigate bureaucracy and close a deal
What to Avoid: Pitfalls to watch out for when working with big companies
Biz Dev: The Game, Part 2: Apply your new skills in a live Biz Dev competition and try to close your first deal! The class will be split into teams to plan, negotiate, and sign a real-world partnership opportunity between a startup and a Big Company

Prerequisites

It is recommended that you first take Biz Dev 101: An Interactive Workshop on How Deals Get Done, but it is not required.

Project Guide by Scott Pollack

Biz dev guy and serial entrepreneur

Scott Pollack has 12 years of experience in business development and startups. Scott currently works on business development and partnerships for American Express. Prior to American Express, Scott was responsible for a $30MM sales distribution partnership pipeline at Dow Chemical. On the startup si... view full bio