Steve Papa, CEO of Endeca Technologies, must decide among two term sheets raising the same amount of badly needed money for his young software company. One deal is led by insiders and, is offered at a lower price. It continues a board that has worked very well and shares a common vision. It also is likely to involve a very important potential customer. The second offer comes from a group with which Papa does not have history. Although it carries a higher price, it will change the board structure and also requires that the closing be delayed a week, from September 7, 2001, to September 14. The company has cash only into October so, if anything goes wrong, Papa is unlikely to be able to arrange alternate financing. Discusses which option he should accept.
Keywords: Venture Capital; Cost vs Benefits; Financial Condition; Financing and Loans; Management Skills; Financial Strategy; Corporate Finance; Decision Choices and Conditions; Information Technology Industry;
Citation:
Hardymon, G. Felda, Josh Lerner, and Ann Leamon. "Endeca Technologies (A)." Harvard Business School Case 802-141, February 2002. (Revised May 2003.) View Details
