Markets, even those that would be considered boring and unappealing to serve, are in a constant state of flux. Finicky customers, geopolitics, financial markets, technological advances, lobbying, and regulations either grow the opportunity or make it one of diminishing returns. This state is what gives the enterprise c-suite sleepless nights and causes startup founders to rise early with a mix of fear of missing out and the smell of opportunity. The agenda for both is the same; to grow and ensure the sustainability of their businesses but with each is dealt a different hand.
Enterprise, though with an available purse, is often wrought in policies, processes, and politics that make agile innovation a difficult pursuit. Startups, on the other hand, are solution-rich but may lack adequate runway or market access from which to establish themselves and exploit opportunities. Unfortunately, executives from both sides often look at this dynamic as zero-sum.
