Why Corporate Start-Ups Fail and How to Succeed

Welcome to the very first episode of Leading the Scale-Up, where we are talking about why corporate start-ups fail.

This show isn’t about leadership theory.

It’s about the real-world challenges of scaling a start-up or growing a business within a business and what it takes to lead through chaos.

In this episode, I’m joined by Frank Mattes, award-winning thought leader and creator of the Lean Scaleup framework.

With over 20 years of experience helping companies like Airbus, BASF, and Allianz scale innovation into commercial success, Frank shares the hard truths and actionable tactics behind building new business models within corporate settings.

In this episode, we explore:

• The four stages of the scaling journey — from discovery to profitable growth.
• Why 29 out of 30 corporate start-up initiatives fail, and how to shift the odds in your favour.
• The friction between ‘Red Shirt’ operators and ‘Blue Shirt’ innovators — and how to build the bridge.
• Why culture isn’t an afterthought but a non-negotiable foundation for scaling.
• What makes a great “ambidextrous leader” — and how to find or develop them inside your org.

You’ll also hear powerful corporate stories, including:

• The real story behind Kodak’s collapse (and how Fujifilm quietly succeeded).
• How Amazon’s early leadership principles laid the groundwork for global innovation

Whether you’re an MD, CEO, or newly tasked scale-up leader, this episode is essential listening.

Your Key Takeaways:

• How to spot the difference between innovation theatre and meaningful transformation
• When and how to protect the core business while launching something new
• The leadership mindsets and structures that make scale-ups succeed

Discover the Strength of Your Leadership Team

Scaling a business isn’t just about systems and strategies — it’s about leadership.

If you’re wondering whether your organisation truly has the leadership capability to scale, take the FREE Leadership Capability Scorecard.

In under 10 minutes, you’ll get a tailored report showing how your team performs across nine essential dimensions of leadership — and where to focus next.

Complete the Scorecard Now

Gain instant clarity on your organisation’s leadership strengths — and what might be holding you back.

 

Learn More About Frank Mattes

Explore the Lean Scaleup framework and grab a free chapter of his book at: www.leanscaleup.com/book

 

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