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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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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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Imprimis (B)
Casadesus-Masanell, Ramon; Elterman, Karen; Appel, MarcCase HBS-717496-EEntrepreneurshipThis case is a supplement to Imprimis (Case A). It describes the company's decision to enter into the pharmaceutical compounding business in 2013-14. Imprimis purchased a compounded ophthalmological medication called Dropless Therapy, which was injected into patients' eyes post-cataract surgery, with the aim of replacing a complex regimen of prescription eye drops. After a successful launch of the compounded medication, Imprimis ran into complica...Starting at €5.74
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The Rise and Rise (?) of Walmart (A): Battling Kmart
Casadesus-Masanell, Ramon; Van Den Steen, Eric; Elterman, KarenCase HBS-718431-EStrategyThis case, set in 1990, describes the history of Walmart and asks what competitive strategies Kmart might adopt in response to Walmart's success. It discusses the strategy and organization of both companies in terms of HR practices, store location, distribution, information technology, procurement, pricing, and company culture. This (A) case is the first in a multi-part series that goes on to describe the results of Kmart's competition with Walma...Starting at €8.20
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Walmart Ecommerce (A): Picking up the Pace
Casadesus-Masanell, Ramon; Elterman, KarenCase HBS-720425-EStrategyThis case is an abridged version (part 1 of 2) of "Walmart's Omnichannel Strategy: Revolution or Miscalculation?" HBS Case 720-370. The (A) case discusses Walmart's early forays into online retail, as well as improvements made under Doug McMillon beginning in 2014. The case describes Walmart's physical stores, delivery options, grocery business, online marketplace, and distribution system. It also discusses the ecommerce startup Jet.com, which Wa...Starting at €8.20
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Walmart Ecommerce (B): Omnichannel Pursuits
Casadesus-Masanell, Ramon; Elterman, KarenCase HBS-720426-EStrategyThis case is an abridged version (part 2 of 2) of "Walmart's Omnichannel Strategy: Revolution or Miscalculation?", HBS Case 720-370. The (B) case describes Walmart's omnichannel strategy in 2018 as it battled Amazon for online retail market share. Walmart aimed to integrate its enormous brick and mortar footprint with its growing ecommerce business, e.g., through merchandise and grocery delivery and order online, pickup in store options. It a...Starting at €5.74
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Steemit: A New Social Media
Casadesus-Masanell, Ramon; White, Alexander; Elterman, KarenCase HBS-720428-EStrategyThis case discusses the alternative social media site Steemit, including the principles it was founded on in 2016 and the challenges it faced in 2019. Steemit was a blockchain-based platform that aimed to differentiate itself from other social media companies by returning power to its users, rather than centralizing control among company executives. Steemit rewarded its users with cryptocurrency for posting, commenting on, and upvoting content on...Starting at €8.20
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Stonestreet Farms: Making a Business in the "Sport of Kings"
FosterG; Hoyt, DCase SGSB-SPM50-ECorporate Governance, StrategyBy the early 21st century, the economics of thoroughbred horse racing in the United States was backwards – owners invested about four times as much money into the sport than the total amount of purse money available. Owners raced their horses as early as possible, and for as short a time as possible to prove that they were valuable for breeding—then sold them to breeding operations. The industry relied heavily on new entrants who had money from...Starting at €8.20
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HOB Boxing: Should Julio Cesar Chaves Jr. Fight on Cable or Pay-Per-View
Foster, G; Hoyt, DCase SGSB-SPM51-ECorporate Governance, StrategyProfessional boxing was once a mainstream sport, whose stars were widely known to the general public. Major fights were broadcast on network television. By the 2000s, the landscape had changed dramatically. Boxing had become a niche sport in the United States, few boxers were known beyond the hard-core fan base, top fights were only available on premium cable or pay-per-view (PPV), and other combat sports were on the rise.This case describes t...Starting at €8.20