How do you find new R&D partners?

Firstly, connecting with R&D partners is so interesting. We can exchange knowledge, innovative idea, advice… Secondly, my way to find R&D partners: . Active in searching title R&D specialist, scientist, Food R&D role… . Join in Seminar, Webinar… where I can meet then connect with many expert . Join in expert group in Linkedin . Like/ share impressive posts, then some R&D partners will connect with me because they found useful or concerned topics Finally, intend to look for some interesting topics to learn. It can be from some suppliers, then we can connect with their R&D experts. Finally, sharing our insight, contribution… you can have new good connection from other R&D Experts who follow you because of same interest.

In Australia we have one of the best incentives for R & D as the federal government supports with a R & D tax rebate upto 43%. Unfortunately not enough companies do R & D. The first thing to do is to find an innovation architect like myself to look at the problem, articulate what you want to solve and map out what steps and tech you need to reach your goals. Then find the right people to work with to deliver the results. It needs to be collaborative. You will also need to involve customers for testing and feedback. With technology there are a few cowboys around so personal recommendations are vital. Universities are also good & VET colleges. The first question I ask is who keeps the IP. I have heard many cases where IP is held to ransom.

Building a good external R&D network is based also into a proper selection and active participation into conferences-congresses-task forces relevant in the field of expertise to be grown. Important also to make a continuous comparison among basic solutions from academia and pragmatic needs from industry as well!

In exactly the same way I found my second half or life partner: through relentless research, countless experiments, and a keen sense of curiosity. Just as I meticulously analyzed and evaluated every potential partner, I bring that same dedication and scientific rigor to my work in R&D. My unique perspective combines the art of aromachology, the science of sustainable living, and a profound respect for biodiversity. This holistic approach not only fuels innovation but also ensures that every product I develop is a testament to the harmony between nature and science. With a dash of humor, a sprinkle of passion, and a commitment to excellence, I am ready to contribute as a top R&D voice.

From a drug discovery collaboration or industry partnership perspective- first there has to be clear and compelling unmet medical need, you are treating a disease that someone cares about (payers, investors, KoLs, pharma), there is a patient population that is commercially viable, you have clearly articulated a strong (biological) rationale about how to treat that disease. Who else is working in this area (academics, industry). What is unique or proprietary in your approach? What is your drug discovery strategy and plan? How could a potential partner contribute to that plan, does it fit their company strategy, do they have unique technologies or know how that can enable your plan. Are you looking for a shared risk partnership?

From a drug discovery and development perspective, business development partners/executives exist in almost all biotechnology firms and large pharma. They can be a valuable first contact point. The majority of biotech websites give information about who to contact. It can be more challenging to find those first points of contact in large pharma, but using LinkedIn and your network contacts you can eventually find these folk. BIO international convention is also an excellent meeting and forum to share what you are doing and finding that ideal future R&D partner or potential investor. Before going into any partnering discussions, I highly recommend you reach out to mentors and others that have been through this process and can help you.

Building a network of R&D partners often begins with tapping into your existing connections. Reach out to colleagues, mentors, or industry peers, and ask if they can recommend potential partners or introduce you to relevant contacts. Additionally, participating in industry-related events like conferences, workshops, or webinars can be a goldmine for networking. Engaging with fellow attendees, speakers, or event organizers can open doors to new R&D collaboration opportunities. Leveraging your network in this way provides a wealth of insights and leads to discover valuable R&D partners.

I think a whatsapp group of your previous company's alumni helps a lot. They change jobs, create new networking in new companies. A bbq party with your former engineering circles also helps expanding networks. Working as a field engineer at a client's place is definitely the best way.

One critical aspect is deciding how deep your project should go. Depth, in this context, has several dimensions. Firstly, there's the depth of research. Depending on your goals, you might seek academic partners for fundamental research or industrial associations for applied research. Secondly, consider the depth within the value chain. This means thinking across various levels, such as OEMs, Tier-1&2 suppliers, material suppliers, tool suppliers, automation, test labs, etc. Geographical depth is another dimension. You must decide whether to keep your project local, expand to a broader area, or go global. By carefully considering these dimensions, you can explore your network of partners that suits your specific needs.

Exploring your network is a great thing to do. Unfortunately many people on "network" when they have a current need or something to "sell". A good network is build on mutual exchange and support - it is a give and take. This way you also keep updated and know the news and changes within your network which might help to find the right partners. The older we get the narrower our network of the good "old friends" becomes. We therefore also need to stay curious and explore out of our "comfort zone". A great way is to share knowledge with younger people, exchange and support of start-ups. All in all it is about knowing someone ready to help that knows someone in case we do not know ...

There are far too many options available using online platforms in my opinion. It can be quite overwhelming. I would first recommend to reach out to trusted mentors, colleagues, KoLs, about their experiences. Who do they trust, who have they worked with before, what are their strengths, weaknesses? In terms of CROs/ CDMOs as partners, reach out to people in your network based in biotech, large pharma, academia, they are normally willing to provide informal references and even introductions to the top players. You need to think about what specific services you need, be that one off bespoke experiments or fully integrated operations. Once you have a shortlist, then do your homework using online platforms and request meetings.

Online platforms are really making it very joyful to look for research partners. However, there are some issues to be considered when we explore the profiles on these websites. First, we need to double-check the information submitted by the users with other platforms such as Google scholar. There are always fake profiles and most of platforms don't have any proofing tools to help you understand that. Second, even if one profile is real, there is sometimes possibility for the wrong or usually overestimated information. Somehow you find a person that tries to put every skills and knowledge in his profile! Third, the mutual connections are very important to decide on going forward with this person or not!

Exploring online platforms designed for R&D collaboration and matchmaking is another effective strategy. These platforms cater to various sectors, regions, and project types. For instance, platforms like Innoget specialize in open innovation opportunities, while ResearchGate connects researchers, and Partnering360 focuses on life sciences partnerships. These online resources enable you to search, filter, and reach out to potential partners aligned with your specific criteria and interests, greatly expanding your network and collaboration possibilities.

Many people are overwhelmed with online platforms and many a quite general as companies more likely present their whole activities rather than their real strength. There is a huge difference between listing and publishing what I can offer to what I really master. Therefore online platforms can be a very good start but must be followed by an in depth check of the potential partner.

Existen numerosas plataformas en línea, y algunas son más fructíferas que otras. UN aspecto que se podría mejorar en ellas es la limitación de acceso a determinadas entidades. Por ejemplo, no tiene sentido que una entidad china tenga acceso a una plataforma cuyo ambito sean ayudas a la I+D con socios europeos...en mi día a día esta situación hace poco operativas muchas de estas plataformas, o al menos dificulta mucho el encontrar al socio correcto

How to showcase your work has become more complex over time as we do not only face multichannels but also a heterogenous audience or ?receivers“ that use one or the other channel or a multitude. So it‘s very important to find the right mix how to inform your key stakeholders. In my world it is often a combination of scientific content in social media and other digital solutions (scalable but big loss in audience), publications, posters, congresses and trade shows, trainings and in person meetings.

Absolutely the act of showcasing our R&D work is not just a marketing strategy; it's a reflection of our commitment to innovation. It's how we tell the world that we're ready to collaborate, innovate, and push the boundaries of what's possible.

A simply quote that I thought of when I read this paragraph to reinforce this point "If you don't show it, they won't know it."

Publishing in high impact journals is a very fast and expedient way to get your work out there. Next is talking about this work at high impact conferences related to your field. And networking at those conferences, speak to people after your talk, truly engage partners at your poster. If you have compelling and interesting work worthy of partnership, it is amazing how people will find you and seek you out. You also need to be crystal clear about what the value proposition is. Why is it compelling, why are you excited, what is your key differentiator vs competitors? Why would partnering with you be compelling above others. Securing trusted SAB, KoL, advisors will also help build your case for future partnerships

There are many more ways to showcase your work than ever before. Some researchers are not comfortable with marketing their own work. I disagree with this sentiment. Research and knowledge building are collaborative processes. Sometimes "if you build it (well) they will come" is just not enough. People need a map and some directions to the great ideas being built. Online preprint sharing and indexing services like Academia.com can really help people find you. So can making connections at events like poster sessions "sticky" - bring digital copies of your poster, slides and recent pub abstracts to hand out. Always follow up with contacts. Try to make follow up about the other person's recent work as well as your own.

Doing some real homework on your potential future partners is critical. What are their interests, what is their company objective, who are the key leaders you need to influence in their organization? What other partnerships have they established, with who and why? Does this align with your business needs. Do you have publications and talks that you can pre-send to your partners about who you are, what your project is, what it wants to achieve and specifically what you are seeking in a partnership. Coupled with intel you have gathered from or other information, demonstrate to your partners why this partnership could be compelling to them and what is in it for them. Ask your partners what they are looking for?

In any collaboration or partnership, building and maintaining trust is an active exercise that requires all parties to act in good faith. To facilitate this, there needs to be open communication and a shared vocabulary on project objectives, scope, responsibilities, as well as risks and constraints. If the foundations - strategy, business need, organizational goals, individual goals - are not aligned, the short-term work risks veering off budget, off schedule, and off scope, and may require major course-corrections while the work is ongoing.

I strongly believe that the personal exchange in F2F meetings is one of the biggest foundations of trust. The bonds created in a personal meeting are much stronger than with any other means. Showing real interest in your partner by meeting eachother is fundamental as projects usually do not only last for a short time and quite some investments are involved.

I fully endorse the importance of establishing rapport, communication, and mutual understanding. These principles are not just good practices; they are the driving forces behind the creation of dynamic and fruitful collaborations in the world of research and development. Following up and building trust are critical components of successful research and development (R&D) endeavors. Trust is the foundation of any successful partnership. It's nurtured through consistent delivery on promises, open and honest communication, and a track record of reliability. Trust encourages partners to share ideas, data, and resources, fostering a collaborative environment.

Trust is a critical enabler of collaboration and R&D. This is developed through efficient follow-up and demonstrating commitment to the project. Take time to know your collaborators and what the project may mean for them. How can you create a win-win?

Scientists have a tendency to get immediately into the weeds. For R and D partnerships and securing them, there is an art is how this story is articulated. Equally important. Can you concisely describe what you are doing, why you are doing it, why is it compelling, how is it differentiated to others, who cares and why should a partner care. What is in it for them. How will it help your partner advance their needs and why? Can you articulate what you need in a partner and why? Preparing a short concise pitch deck for your R and D program capturing some of the above is key. Do you have publications and data supporting your idea, do you have data about commercial viability, can you articulate the value of your RandD project once you complete.

If you are struggling with a project, do not overlook the value that a facilitator can play. I work with many companies and research organisations, facilitating safe spaces for difficult conversations, developing common language and goals, and transparency.

My top tip when it comes to securing grant funding for R&D is that your answers to ALL the questions are generally important. As a scientist, I've been guilty of skipping over the 'boring' parts to focus on the 'important' science component. Guess what, those proposals didn't get funded. Treat the application like an exam question, look at the scoring criteria and give each element proper attention.

From my perspective following two things can be considered. 1. Attending R&D conferences and symposia in specific field offers a prime opportunity to network with potential partners. 2. Explore grant opportunities that require collaboration between multiple organizations. These grants often encourage partnerships in pursuit of common research objectives.

Become a member of professional associations and organizations relevant to your industry or research area. Attend their meetings and events to connect with like-minded professionals. Search academic databases such as Google Scholar, ResearchGate, or academic journals to find researchers and institutions working in your field. Use LinkedIn and specialized research platforms to identify researchers, scientists, and organizations with similar interests. Participate in online forums and communities dedicated to your area of research. Engage in discussions and connect with potential partners. Websites like ResearchGate, Academia.edu, or Mendeley allow researchers to connect and collaborate.