What are important key points in a good partnership you have to know before engaging? Feigelman points out these four major steps:

1. Strategic intent and mandate of the corporate partner (why do they engage?)
2. Governance - what is the CxO commitment and how are decisions made?
3. Who is the team you will be working with, and how much time will you spend with it?
4. What is the give and take in this relationship?

"It is important to talk", emphasizes Mendel. "You have to talk if something goes wrong - and of course if something goes well." And Shakani adds: "What are your long-run-goals? That is also a fundamental question. And at this point this relationship really looks a bit like a marriage."

Dr. Diana Mantel