The planets vast and mostly unexplored microbial resources hold immeasurable potential.Microbial biodiversity is the basis for many natural discovery programs seeking novel compounds for use in pharmaceuticals,agriculture,and other industrial applications.As technology continues to fimd new ways to access and explore these resources,governments institutions and private companies are working together to develop products from microbial diversity.To ensure sustainable use ofbiodiversity,the value of establishing unambiguous property rights and benefit sharing agreements in bioprospecting collaborations cannot be over estimated.This paper discusses some of the economic and business concepts necessary in establishing mutually beneficial,successful,and sustainable partnerships between private enterprises and biodiversity providers.The paper discusses Diversas approach to creating biodiversity collaborations with various countries based on adherence to international guidelines for biodiversity,the establishment of clear intellectual property rights and equitable benefit-sharing.