More than two decades ago, Japanese tech giant Sony and Swedish telecommunications firm Ericsson joined forces to revolutionize the mobile phone industry. Their goal was to create advanced devices with enhanced internet connectivity. By combining Sony’s consumer electronics expertise with Ericsson’s telecommunications knowledge, they became one of the leading global players in the market.
This partnership not only helped both companies quickly adapt to market changes, but it also served as a powerful driver of innovation in a highly competitive industry. More than 20 years later, this kind of strategy remains relevant in today’s dynamic, global, and digital business environment. As consumer expectations evolve rapidly, companies that fail to innovate risk falling behind. In this landscape, only those organizations that embrace collaborative and open models can establish long-term leadership. That’s because we are living in an era of constant industrial transformation.
Strategic alliances between established corporations and emerging players are no longer optional, they are essential. These partnerships enable companies to respond to market opportunities and shifting needs with greater speed and efficiency.
Large companies bring robust infrastructures, established brands, and deep market insight. Startups, on the other hand, offer agility, creativity, and the ability to deliver innovative solutions. When these strengths are combined, the result is products and services that better serve end users, while also reshaping how businesses create value and contribute to society.
However, traditional hierarchies and internal bureaucracy within major corporations can hinder fast decision-making and delay the adoption of transformative ideas.
The move toward more collaborative business models is already visible in sectors like finance. Once dominated by large banks, the financial industry has seen a wave of disruption from fintech companies, which have made services more accessible and user-friendly. These companies have proven that it’s possible to develop more efficient and personalized products that cater to today’s demanding digital consumer.
Despite recent economic and geopolitical tensions, Spain has emerged as one of Europe’s most dynamic fintech hubs. Spanish startups have played a key role in helping traditional financial institutions embrace digital tools and access new markets.
The investment sector provides one of the clearest examples of how these collaborations can have a massive impact. Fintechs, with their advanced technology and user-centric approach, are helping established institutions evolve into more flexible operating models. As a result, both businesses and individuals now have easier access to investment opportunities that were once limited to a privileged few.
What was once an exclusive environment is now open to all. Pressure from both institutional and retail investors about higher returns is reshaping the rules of the game. To keep up, major firms are turning to specialized platforms that offer high-quality, easy-to-integrate investment infrastructure. Known as Investment-as-a-Service, these solutions allow companies to provide access to a wide range of assets and global markets at competitive costs without the burden of building their own internal platforms, thereby reducing implementation time and expenses.
These platforms, backed by deep industry expertise and cutting-edge technology, offer banks, fintechs, and financial institutions a secure, efficient, and user-friendly investment experience. In return, large companies contribute financial support, market credibility, and scalability to help bring these innovations to a broader audience.
Still, for these partnerships to succeed, a mindset shift is necessary. Corporations must stop viewing new players as threats and start recognizing them as key allies for sustainable growth.
This collaboration won’t just accelerate technological adoption, it will also transform the financial sector by providing more inclusive, personalized, and efficient experiences for all types of investors. It will also lay the groundwork for a more resilient and adaptable ecosystem, capable of meeting future challenges. In this sense, Spain, with its growing prominence in the fintech world is well positioned to lead this transformation.
The key is not to compete, but to embrace a collaborative model were innovation and cooperation drive development.
Ramiro Martínez-Pardo is Co-Founder and CEO of HeyTrade.
