FireDrop

William A. Sahlman; Michael J. Roberts

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Case | HBS Case Collection | November 2000

FireDrop

by William A. Sahlman and Michael J. Roberts

Abstract

Describes the evolution of FireDrop, a new venture-backed company that has developed a new platform for e-mail communication. The FireDrop application--called a Zaplet--allows for e-mails to be continually updated so they are current when read (rather than when sent). The company has received several rounds of venture capital financing, and now it must raise another large round, simultaneously deciding which of six alternative business models to pursue.

Keywords: Business Model; Internet; Communication Technology; Venture Capital; Technological Innovation; Information Technology Industry;

Format: Print

19 pages

Educators

Citation:

Sahlman, William A., and Michael J. Roberts. "FireDrop." Harvard Business School Case 801-214, November 2000.

About the Author

William A. Sahlman

Baker Foundation Professor, Dimitri V. D'Arbeloff - MBA Class of 1955 Professor of Business Administration, Emeritus

Entrepreneurial Management

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Case | HBS Case Collection | January 2020

Khan Academy 2018 (Abridged)

William A. Sahlman and Nicole Tempest Keller

Citation:
Sahlman, William A., and Nicole Tempest Keller. "Khan Academy 2018 (Abridged)." Harvard Business School Case 820-086, January 2020. View Details

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Case | HBS Case Collection | October 2018 (Revised May 2019)

Khan Academy 2018

William Sahlman and Nicole Tempest Keller

Founded in 2008, Khan Academy was a global educational nonprofit with a mission to provide a free, world-class education for anyone anywhere in the world. By 2018, the organization had expanded into numerous content areas, product areas, and geographic markets. However, a newly minted 3-year strategic plan called for greater focus and prioritization to enable the young organization to maximize its impact. It also called for increased fundraising efforts to ensure long-term sustainability. The case poses several questions: How can the organization balance its far-reaching aspirational vision for transforming education globally with the short-term need for greater focus? Would the priorities set in the strategic plan enable Khan Academy to create systemic global change? How should donors evaluate the attractiveness and impact of a potential investment in Khan Academy relative to other organizations in the educational market? Was Khan Academy on the right path to ensuring long-term sustainability? What should Khan Academy’s management team do?

Keywords: entrepreneur; sustainability; scaling; Social Entrepreneurship; Nonprofit Organizations; Strategy; Education; Entrepreneurship; Teaching; Education Industry; California;

Citation:
Sahlman, William, and Nicole Tempest Keller. "Khan Academy 2018." Harvard Business School Case 819-064, October 2018. (Revised May 2019.) View Details

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Technical Note | HBS Case Collection | August 2018

Evaluating Start Ups

William A. Sahlman, Ramana Nanda and Robert F. White

A framework for assessing new business opportunities and the business plans used to describe them is developed. Useful for aspiring entrepreneurs in MBA programs.

Keywords: Entrepreneurship; Business Startups; Business Plan; Opportunities;

Citation:
Sahlman, William A., Ramana Nanda, and Robert F. White. "Evaluating Start Ups." Harvard Business School Technical Note 819-039, August 2018. View Details

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Faculty & Research

FireDrop

Abstract

Citation:

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