PoC Execution Best Practices for Corporate–Startup Collaboration
PoC Execution
The PoC Execution phase is where the startup delivers the agreed scope - and you make sure the project stays on track.
Goal of PoC Execution
To complete the PoC on time, on budget, and meeting the success metrics defined in the scope.
Your role during PoC Execution
You’re not running the PoC day-to-day, but you are:
- Monitoring progress to ensure milestones are met
- Facilitating communication if there are delays, blockers, or misunderstandings
- Protecting scope - avoid scope creep that could delay completion or inflate costs
- Keeping the business case alive - update the impact calculation as new data comes in
Best practices for smooth execution
- Regular check-ins: Keep short status calls or written updates at least every 2 weeks
- Track success metrics early: Don’t wait until the end to see if they’re met - check progress mid-way
- Handle issues fast: If something’s not going as planned, address it immediately before it escalates
- Document learnings: Capture feedback from both the startup and the corporate team - useful whether the PoC succeeds or fails
End-of-PoC review
Before the PoC officially ends:
- Verify scope completion - Did we test everything we said we would?
- Review success metrics - Were they met?
- Discuss implementation feasibility - What would be required from IT, procurement, and other teams to roll out the solution?
Then move into the decision meeting on whether to implement the solution or not.
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Everything you need to know about Venture Clienting
Welcome to Venture Clienting
Learn what Venture Clienting is (and what it isn’t), where the model came from, and why it’s become a fast path to measurable business impact. It also clarifies the differences to CVC and Venture Building, shows how the three can work together, and closes with practical “golden rules” to start with the right problems, win early PoCs, and build the trust you’ll need to scale.
Getting Started
A quick on-ramp into Venture Clienting: a checklist to see if your organization is actually ready, the minimum setup you need (one owner, a starter budget, and light leadership backing), plus a plain-English glossary so everyone—from business units to procurement—uses the same terms and avoids confusion from day one.
The 3 Phases of Venture Clienting Units
A practical maturity map for how Venture Clienting Units evolve over time — from START (prove the model with a few high-impact PoCs), to GROW (make it repeatable and expand reach), to SCALE (run high volume with strong selectivity, efficiency, and strategic alignment). It clarifies what to prioritize in each phase: budgets, timelines, lead volume, stakeholder setup (procurement/IT/legal), and the specific habits that drive momentum without burning quality.
The Venture Clienting Process
A practical, end-to-end guide to running Venture Clienting in real life — from uncovering internal pain points and qualifying PoC leads to sourcing startups, running focused demos, executing lean PoCs, and turning successful pilots into real implementations with measurable business impact.
Advanced Topics
This chapter covers advanced Venture Clienting topics you’ll face once the basics work: managing PoCs as a portfolio, working effectively with IT, accelerating projects through alternative contracting models, and securing lasting C-level support. It shows how to reduce bottlenecks, allocate resources smarter, and turn Venture Clienting into a strategic, scalable capability.