Jeremy Basset is the Founder and Chairman of CO, a boutique innovation agency dedicated to helping large corporations, particularly those in the FTSE100, optimize their collaborations with startups. Under his leadership, CO aims to bridge the gap between established companies and innovative startups, facilitating impactful partnerships that drive business results.
Background and Career
Before founding CO, Jeremy spent over 13 years at Unilever, where he played a pivotal role in launching and scaling Unilever Foundry, a global platform designed to connect the company with startups. This initiative involved piloting technology with over 150 startups, which helped Unilever enhance its operational efficiency and sustainability practices.124 His experience at Unilever has significantly shaped his approach to corporate-startup engagement, emphasizing the need for ongoing innovation rather than sporadic transformations.
Vision and Impact
At CO, Jeremy advocates for a culture of collaboration between corporates and startups, recognizing that such partnerships are crucial for driving innovation in an increasingly complex market landscape. He believes that the future of corporate innovation lies in creating networks of complementary startups that can collectively address challenges and seize opportunities.23 His vision extends beyond mere transactional relationships; he emphasizes the importance of cultural alignment and strategic integration within corporate structures to foster genuine innovation.12
Education
Jeremy holds an MBA from London Business School and is CPA qualified, complementing his academic background with a degree in Marketing & Accounting from the University of Technology, Sydney.5
Summary
In summary, Jeremy Basset is a seasoned innovator in corporate-startup partnerships, leveraging his extensive experience at Unilever to lead CO in transforming how large organizations engage with emerging technologies and entrepreneurial talent. His focus on creating sustainable, impactful collaborations positions CO as a key player in the future of corporate innovation.
