Paul Christoffersen

Conducting DBA doctoral-level research focused on diagnosing and solving the systemic causes behind the >70% failure rate in corporate-startup collaborations.

Research Objective: To develop a pragmatic, evidence-based framework that enables corporations and scaleups to build sustainable, high-value partnerships.

After a fantastic diversified career spanning diplomatic negotiations, the C-suite, and the startup garage, I%27ve had a front-row seat to one of the most significant challenges in modern business: the colossal waste of potential when corporations and startups fail to collaborate effectively.

The statistic – over 70% of these partnerships fail with real-world consequences: Billions in squandered investments and soft funding, game-changing technology lost never to reach the market, and brilliant entrepreneurial talent burned out.

After decades on the front lines, I concluded that this is not an unsolvable problem.

That is why I have embarked on the capstone of my career: a pragmatic Doctor of Business Administration (DBA). My research is not a theoretical exercise; it is a live R&D project dedicated to building an evidence-based framework for forging alliances that last. I am deconstructing the models of failure to architect a new model for success.

I am actively exploring governance structures, cultural integration, and value alignment that move partnerships from press releases to the P&L. I share my findings here as well as on Medium and Substack.

I%27m open to connecting with fellow C-level leaders, board members, founders, and investors who are also committed to solving this important challenge.