In the digital era, to remain in the silo mentality is to swim against the tide and end up, with a high probability, perishing. The characteristics of the digital era make it essential for any company, small, medium or large, to seek external sources of innovation. But whatever the collaboration model chosen, from early adoption of an innovative technology solution as a customer, to making equity investments in start-ups, it is key to incorporate best practices to overcome, among others, the legal challenges that underlie potential collaboration.
A company dedicated to the development of new materials in the field of natural stone wants to develop its own generative model with which to create designs applicable to stone agglomerates, integrating experts in interior design and materials with a team of engineers.
Acceleration of the integration process of the companies selected for the collaboration as suppliers to the client, and of an agile contracting model for its implementation.
A multinational company in the sports and sports wear sector invites a company dedicated to the development of new high-end textile materials to develop technical products for extreme sports that ensure the expulsion of moisture, guarantee body insulation, with a minimum weight and are based on new or recycled natural products (fibres, algae, etc.).
legal lab assisted the client in designing an initial phase of collaboration based on product adoption, to secure the multinational’s subsequent investment in technological innovation, with an emphasis on intellectual property protection and start-up growth.
An engineering company developed two models of mobile robots with tracking cameras to monitor the health and growth of farm animals, which move on rails hanging from the roof of the sheds. After several years of R&D development and EU support, they built the first successful prototypes. In the first phase, several equity investors were brought in with 10% stakes, but they did not provide technology or market opportunities. After two years, it was decided to find and bring in a US multinational specialising in farm animal tracking, especially chickens, and to start a process of divesting the small investors and replacing them with a single investor from the sector, who could bring technology, know-how and market outlets.
legal lab favoured and made possible the replacement of capital and the sustainability of the founders’ business project.
