PARTNERSHIP AND STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT

Build stronger collaborations for greater impact

Behind every successful project is a strong network of partners who are aligned, engaged, and invested. Whether you're designing a grant proposal, launching a new initiative, or strengthening existing relationships, we help you bring the right people together—and keep them moving in the same direction.

At Straight Up, we work with research institutions, government agencies, and industry leaders to facilitate meaningful partnerships that lead to real outcomes. We make collaboration feel less like a buzzword, and more like a strategic advantage.

Why engage partners?

Clients come to us when they need help to:

• Secure partners for a grant proposal—often involving both cash and in-kind contributions

• Rally stakeholders around a new centre, institute, or research initiative

• Identify key audiences and develop clear, targeted engagement strategies

• Strengthen or rebuild relationships with existing collaborators

Whether you’re just starting out or trying to align a growing network, we bring clarity, structure and a bit of calm to what can otherwise feel like a people-wrangling exercise.

Our approach

Strong partnerships don’t happen by accident. They require trust, shared goals, and the ability to communicate clearly across different sectors and agendas.

Here’s how we help make that happen:

• Stakeholder Mapping & Engagement
  We help you identify the right people to bring in, and design smart, human ways to engage them.

• Facilitated Conversations
  We lead strategic sessions to align partners, clarify objectives and surface potential barriers early.

• Narrative Development
  We craft language and messaging that explains the why behind your collaboration—so everyone’s speaking the same language.

• Tailored Engagement Plans
  We develop strategic, fit-for-purpose plans to keep partners informed, connected, and part of the process.

Every partnership is different, so our work is always tailored. Whether it’s three partners or thirty, a research collaboration or a multi-sector initiative, we adapt to what you need.

Why Straight Up?

We get the balance right between strategy and action. We bring a structured process and clear thinking, but we’re also quick to understand the personalities, politics and practicalities that come with partnership work.

Our clients tell us we bring:

• A steady hand during high-stakes project development

• Practical tools that help everyone stay aligned

• Clear, confident communication that keeps people engaged

Let’s build something worth collaborating on

Whether you’re building a proposal, launching a new entity, or bringing old partners back to the table—let’s talk about how we can support your goals. Get in touch to book a call below.