“Germany is one of the best test beds for startups in Europe. If you can prove your product works here, you can scale it anywhere.”
— Ruth R. Shah, Head of Bayer Co.Lab Berlin

Corporate innovation has a reputation problem.
Too slow. Too much theatre. More about the press release than the product.

But Berlin is rewriting that script.

With its open networks, easy access to decision-makers, and a startup scene wired for bold ideas, the city has become one of the best places in Europe for startups and corporates to build together.

Our latest episode dives right into the heart of it: Can Big Pharma actually be the good guy? We sat down with Ruth R. Shah, Head of Bayer Co.Lab Berlin, to unbox how corporate innovation is evolving, and how Berlin is giving it the perfect stage.

We then took the conversation live at CIC Berlin with Viktor Matyas (Aignostics) and Darius Moeini (BIA - Berlin Innovation Agency), where the honesty, energy, and edge were impossible to miss.

This episode and event is part of a 5-episode series on Deep Tech and Impact, in partnership with Startup Berlin by Berlin Partner.

‍What we learned from Ruth Shah

Ruth came in with one clear message: corporate innovation is evolving, and Berlin is one of the best places to see it in action.

Her points stood out because they were grounded in both scientific expertise (cell and gene therapies, biotech scaling) and ecosystem insight (Berlin’s startup and corporate landscape).

Key takeaways from the episode:

• AI won’t replace scientists — but it will speed them up.
  Ruth was clear: AI will never replace the human judgment and creativity that drive medical breakthroughs. But when paired with people, it becomes a powerful accelerator for discovery.
• Berlin is a prime launchpad for biotech and healthtech.
  The city’s openness, deep research talent, and accessible networks make it one of the most fertile ecosystems for founders — especially those looking to partner with corporates.
• Collaboration beats competition.
  In biotech, no single player can solve the biggest challenges alone. Startups bring speed and bold ideas; corporates bring scale, infrastructure, and regulatory know-how. Together, they move faster.
• Diversity is a non-negotiable.
  Not just in teams, but in clinical trials and product development. Diverse perspectives lead to better solutions — and ultimately save lives

The Unboxing The Future Live Event: from peacetime to wartime innovation

At the live Unboxing the Future event (at Venture Café by CIC Berlin), we brought Ruth together with Viktor Matyas, founder of Aignostics -award-winning stratup working with Bayer, and Darius Moeini, founder of BIA - building innovation programs for large corporates for the last 10 years - to explore what corporate innovation really looks like on the ground.

Here’s what stood out:

• Berlin is still one of the best places to launch and partner.
  Open networks, easier access to decision-makers, and a collaborative culture create a strong environment for startups to connect with corporates.
• Working with corporates takes time.
  Viktor shared the founder perspective: processes are long, there are no shortcuts, but the payoff can be massive if you understand how to navigate it.
• Corporate innovation mindset has shifted.
  Darius highlighted the change from “peacetime” innovation (exploring, experimenting) to “wartime” innovation (focused, outcome-driven, tied directly to business goals).
• Germany is an ideal test bed.
  Ruth reminded us that Germany offers a powerful market to validate solutions, test at scale, and prove product-market fit before expanding globally.

Watch the recap video of the Unboxing The Future Live Event

An actionable framework: Partnering with corporates for real impact

From the episode and the event, one thing is clear: corporate innovation can be a powerful ally for startups — if approached strategically.

Here’s a framework inspired by Ruth, Viktor, and Darius for startups looking to partner with corporates:

1. Get clear on your “why.”
Corporates need to know the problem you’re solving, why it matters, and how it aligns with their strategic priorities.

2. Respect the process.
Partnerships with corporates take time. There’s no shortcut around regulatory approvals, compliance, and internal buy-in. Build this timeline into your expectations.

3. Focus on outcomes, not optics.
Ditch innovation theatre. Come prepared with clear milestones, measurable impact, and a roadmap that shows how your solution delivers value.

4. Use Berlin’s ecosystem to your advantage.
The city offers easy access to talent, corporate networks, and collaborative spaces. Plug in early — relationships matter here.

5. Build for scale, test for quality.
Follow Ruth’s advice: treat Germany as your test bed. Prove your product works here, then leverage that credibility to scale internationally.

What Ruth Shah and the team at Bayer Co.Lab are showing us: when startups, corporates, and the ecosystem align, impact follows.

Watch Ruth full episode here