Big Companies Supporting Startups

For years I worked with startups as part of our innovation centers.   They frequently asked us for the potential of funding, support or endorsement of their ideas.   Even simply including our name in their list of clients could produce value.  We were rarely in a position to do this.  The few examples where we had were case studies of failure.  So this overview in the HBR is of interest.  But then which startup?  And engaging in potential intellectual property battles?