Join us for this virtual event which will explore how corporate venturing has transformed among the world’s largest global corporations.
Based on an analysis of the corporate venturing practices adopted by the 500 largest companies in the Forbes Global 2000, “When Goliath Needs David” explores how startups and large corporations are developing new partnership models to achieve their goals. The study reveals a structural shift in corporate venturing, in which the agility of startups combines with the scale of established firms to pursue an ever broader range of objectives than originally envisioned. This event will present the key findings of the research and discuss what executives and entrepreneurs need to know to position themselves in this new cycle of collaboration.
Speakers:
Serguei Netessine
Senior Vice Dean for Innovation and Global Initiatives and the Dhirubhai Ambani Professor of Innovation and Entrepreneurship at the Wharton School
His research focuses on business model innovation and operational excellence, with applications across retail, technology, and aerospace industries. He has advised Fortune 500 organizations and governments. Netessine is a prolific academic with numerous publications in top journals such as Management Science, Operations Research, and Harvard Business Review. He is also the co-author of The Risk-Driven Business Model (Harvard Business Press), which explores how operational choices shape competitive strategy. In addition to his academic work, he is an active angel investor and serves on the advisory boards of several startups.
Valery Yakubovich
Executive Director Mack Institute for Innovation Management
Dr. Valery Yakubovich focuses on creating synergies among research, teaching, and practice of innovation management within the school and university, promoting dialogue between practitioners and academics, and connecting with corporate and regional partners’ innovation ecosystems. In his previous roles, he conducted research, teaching, consulting, and fundraising at major academic and corporate institutions, including the Wharton School, the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, and the ESSEC Business School in France. Dr. Yakubovich’s research on technological and organizational innovations and social networks has appeared in top academic and practitioner journals, including Organization Science, American Sociological Review, Harvard Business Review, California Management Review, and MIT Sloan Management Review, and was featured in mass media, including the Financial Times, the New York Times, and the Wall Street Journal.
When:
Thursday, October 16, 2025
6:00 PM ET – 7:00 PM ET
Cost:
WCNY Supporting Members - $10 (WCNY supporting membership costs $95/yr at Join/Renew Membership)
Other Wharton Alumni & Alumni Guests - $20
Gold & Benefactor Members - $0
Meeting Access Information:
Registered guests will receive the Zoom link 24 hours prior to (and the morning of) the event date to the email address provided during registration. If you do not receive the Zoom link within this timeframe, please first check your spam folder to check receipt. If you are registered and are unable to locate the meeting link, please contact Gabriela Sanchez no later than 9:00 AM ET on event date to ensure we have ample time to assist you.
By registering for this event, you agree to the following:
I understand that this session may be recorded and made available, and that my image, name, comments, or questions may appear on-screen.
Pre-registration is required. Please register early as events can and do sell out quickly.
Registration is subject to availability and will close on Thursday, October 16th at 9:00am.
Based on an analysis of the corporate venturing practices adopted by the 500 largest companies in the Forbes Global 2000, “When Goliath Needs David” explores how startups and large corporations are developing new partnership models to achieve their goals. The study reveals a structural shift in corporate venturing, in which the agility of startups combines with the scale of established firms to pursue an ever broader range of objectives than originally envisioned. This event will present the key findings of the research and discuss what executives and entrepreneurs need to know to position themselves in this new cycle of collaboration.
Speakers:
Serguei Netessine
Senior Vice Dean for Innovation and Global Initiatives and the Dhirubhai Ambani Professor of Innovation and Entrepreneurship at the Wharton School
His research focuses on business model innovation and operational excellence, with applications across retail, technology, and aerospace industries. He has advised Fortune 500 organizations and governments. Netessine is a prolific academic with numerous publications in top journals such as Management Science, Operations Research, and Harvard Business Review. He is also the co-author of The Risk-Driven Business Model (Harvard Business Press), which explores how operational choices shape competitive strategy. In addition to his academic work, he is an active angel investor and serves on the advisory boards of several startups.
Valery Yakubovich
Executive Director Mack Institute for Innovation Management
Dr. Valery Yakubovich focuses on creating synergies among research, teaching, and practice of innovation management within the school and university, promoting dialogue between practitioners and academics, and connecting with corporate and regional partners’ innovation ecosystems. In his previous roles, he conducted research, teaching, consulting, and fundraising at major academic and corporate institutions, including the Wharton School, the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, and the ESSEC Business School in France. Dr. Yakubovich’s research on technological and organizational innovations and social networks has appeared in top academic and practitioner journals, including Organization Science, American Sociological Review, Harvard Business Review, California Management Review, and MIT Sloan Management Review, and was featured in mass media, including the Financial Times, the New York Times, and the Wall Street Journal.
When:
Thursday, October 16, 2025
6:00 PM ET – 7:00 PM ET
Cost:
WCNY Supporting Members - $10 (WCNY supporting membership costs $95/yr at Join/Renew Membership)
Other Wharton Alumni & Alumni Guests - $20
Gold & Benefactor Members - $0
Meeting Access Information:
Registered guests will receive the Zoom link 24 hours prior to (and the morning of) the event date to the email address provided during registration. If you do not receive the Zoom link within this timeframe, please first check your spam folder to check receipt. If you are registered and are unable to locate the meeting link, please contact Gabriela Sanchez no later than 9:00 AM ET on event date to ensure we have ample time to assist you.
By registering for this event, you agree to the following:
I understand that this session may be recorded and made available, and that my image, name, comments, or questions may appear on-screen.
Pre-registration is required. Please register early as events can and do sell out quickly.
Registration is subject to availability and will close on Thursday, October 16th at 9:00am.