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A Day in the Life of a Centure Capitalist
Strebulaev, I; Gouw-Ranzetta, T; Hoyt, DCase SGSB-E444-EEntrepreneurshipThis note describes the tasks that fill the working day of a venture capitalist. Those functions involved in investing (deal sourcing, due diligence, and related tasks) often receive the most attention from students. However, interviews with experienced venture capitalists found that as much or more time is spent working with existing portfolio companies. This note provides insight into each aspect of a venture capitalist’s job: making investm...Starting at €8.20
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Evaluating Venture Capital Term Sheets
Strebulaev, I; Gouw-Ranzetta, T; Hoyt, DCase SGSB-E460-EEntrepreneurshipWhen entrepreneurs are successful in convincing venture capital firms that they are an attractive potential investment, they are presented with offers detailing many terms of the investment agreement. These are described in term sheets. Sorting through the myriad terms can be a daunting proposition for an entrepreneur. Yet, it is important for entrepreneurs to understand the terms of a proposed financing. These determine the payout the entrep...Starting at €8.20
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Starbucks, Howard Schultz, and the Trump Effect
W. Glenn Rowe; Ken MarkCase IVEY-9B19M117-EStrategyAfter the former chief executive officer (CEO) of U.S.-based Starbucks started to voice his political opinions in September 2016, both Starbucks and the CEO faced backlash. As the CEO and former chairman of a large company, he may have felt entitled to voStarting at €8.20
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Innovation at Caterpillar: The D7E Tractor
Carroll, G; Hoyt, DCase SGSB-SM223-EStrategyIn 2009, Caterpillar shipped its first D7E tractor, an “electric drive” machine in which electric motors moved the tracks and blade, using electricity from a generator powered by a diesel engine. In an industry where new products provided performance gains of just a few percent, the D7E moved 10 percent more material per hour, using 10-30 percent less fuel that its predecessor. It was also easier to operate, had 40 percent fewer moving parts, a...Starting at €8.20
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Goodwill Industries of Greater Grand Rapids
W. Glenn Rowe; Tony FrancoliniCase IVEY-9B10M081-EEntrepreneurship, StrategyThe president and chief executive officer (CEO) of Goodwill Industries of Greater Grand Rapids Inc. (Goodwill) was analyzing a staff proposal to begin selling donated books online. Her initial response to the proposal had been to approve the idea without any reservation; however, some pointed questions raised during discussion at a recent board meeting caused her to revisit her support for the project. The CEO determined that to make a thoughtful...Starting at €8.20
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Hillberg & Berk: Aiming to Sparkle in the Designer Jewellery Business
W. Glenn Rowe; Selena Shannon PritchardCase IVEY-9B17M040-EEntrepreneurship, StrategyFounded by an entrepreneur in 2007, Hillberg & Berk was a successful Canadian company in the affordable designer jewellery industry. After being funded through the Dragons’ Den television show in 2009, the entrepreneur and her team grew the company to achieving more than $10 million in annual sales. The company had focused its growth in its home province of Saskatchewan and into the neighbouring province of Alberta, but in late 2016, it faced a t...Starting at €8.20
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Carmichael Outreach: A New Leader Takes Charge
W. Glenn Rowe; Sean TuckerCase IVEY-9B13C018-ELeadership and People ManagementThe new executive director is reflecting on her first two months at Carmichael Outreach, a non-profit organization that helps homeless people and others in need in Regina, Saskatchewan. She has already identified several risks to staff and client safety but must also address longer-term issues. Many believe the organization should do more to address the city’s chronic shortage of safe and affordable housing. Although clients, volunteers, staff an...Starting at €8.20
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Lululemon: Stay Public or Go Private?
W. Glenn Rowe; Maria SemenovaCase IVEY-9B15M033-EStrategyAfter having virtually created the yoga-wear segment more than a decade earlier and having become a stock-market darling, Lululemon Athletica finds itself at a critical point in its development. After a series of missteps and a first-quarter profit drop of 60 per cent, the yoga-wear retailer’s founder, Chip Wilson, prepares to go into battle, meeting with banks and private equity firms to mount a buyout and take the company private. Similar to ot...Starting at €8.20
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BCE Inc.: Facing the Future
Stephen R. Foerster; W. Glenn Rowe; Heather TobinCase IVEY-9B09N015-EFinance, StrategyBCE Inc. (BCE), one of Canada's leading integrated communications companies, faced numerous challenges. In the key wireless communications market, BCE was trailing its competitors on growth and revenue. BCE's share price was underperforming and shareholders, including the powerful Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan, were becoming concerned. In addition there were regulatory changes on the horizon that could have a serious impact on BCE's wireless div...Starting at €8.20
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State Fair of Virginia
W. Glenn Rowe; Karin SchnarrCase IVEY-9B12M050-EFinance, StrategyIn November 2011, the State Fair of Virginia, Inc. (SFVA), which had been operating since 1854, was facing a dire financial situation. SFVA was a privately held, not-for-profit organization that operated the state fair independent of the state government, and received no operating support from state or local governments. In 2003, the organization had borrowed $83 million against a $47 million investment portfolio in order to develop its new fairg...Starting at €8.20