Winner-Take-All in Networked Markets

Thomas R. Eisenmann

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Background Note | HBS Case Collection | February 2006 (Revised September 2007)

Winner-Take-All in Networked Markets

by Thomas R. Eisenmann

Abstract

Discusses platform structure in new networked markets, that is, whether a market that exhibits network effects will be served by a single platform or by rival platforms. Defines "platforms" and "platform structure"; describes factors that influence the odds that a winner-take-all outcome will prevail; and presents a framework for analyzing these factors in combination to predict platform structure.

Keywords: Forecasting and Prediction; Growth Management; Network Effects; Market Platforms; Internet;

Format: Print

15 pages

Educators Purchase

Citation:

Eisenmann, Thomas R. "Winner-Take-All in Networked Markets." Harvard Business School Background Note 806-131, February 2006. (Revised September 2007.)

About the Author

Thomas R. Eisenmann

Howard H. Stevenson Professor of Business Administration

Entrepreneurial Management

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Case | HBS Case Collection | August 2019

Baroo (A): Pet Concierge

Thomas R. Eisenmann and Susie L. Ma

Baroo CEO Lindsay Hyde was facing unrest from the board of her pet services startup in August 2017. One board member (and lead investor) was alarmed that Baroo’s growth was slowing while its appetite for funding was accelerating. Hyde wanted to hit the gas and continue expanding to new cities, which meant she needed to raise venture capital. How could she convince the board and potential investors that the business opportunities were too good to pass up and an infusion of capital could help her steer Baroo through the speed bumps?

Keywords: Service Industry; United States; Massachusetts;

Citation:
Eisenmann, Thomas R., and Susie L. Ma. "Baroo (A): Pet Concierge." Harvard Business School Case 820-011, August 2019. View Details

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Supplement | HBS Case Collection | August 2019

Baroo (B)

Thomas R. Eisenmann and Susie L. Ma

Baroo CEO Lindsay Hyde must secure venture capital funding if she wants to save her pet services startup. If she is unable to finance a series A, she will need to sell or shut down.

Keywords: Entrepreneurship; Outcome or Result; Failure; Service Industry; United States; Massachusetts;

Citation:
Eisenmann, Thomas R., and Susie L. Ma. "Baroo (B)." Harvard Business School Supplement 820-026, August 2019. View Details

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Case | HBS Case Collection | August 2019

Rand Fishkin at Moz (B)

Thomas R. Eisenmann

In 2016, senior management at Moz, a venture capital-backed startup providing software tools for digital marketing professionals, must decide how to address a looming cash flow crisis precipitated by failed efforts to broaden its product line. Seattle-based Moz had originally focused only on search engine optimization (SEO) software. Aiming to accelerate growth, over the past three years the startup had launched products targeted at content marketers, social media marketers, and small local businesses. Adoption of these new products had been disappointing, and the resource drain and distraction of launching them had reduced the growth of Moz's core SEO product. Management was wrestling with whether to either: 1) shut down or sell the new products; or 2) double down on the new products, funding further investment in them by selling the core SEO business or milking it as a "cash cow."

Keywords: Startups; scaling; Entrepreneurship; Failure; Business Startups; Diversification; Growth Management;

Citation:
Eisenmann, Thomas R. "Rand Fishkin at Moz (B)." Harvard Business School Case 820-003, August 2019. View Details

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Winner-Take-All in Networked Markets

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