Skip to Main Content
HBS Home
  • About
  • Academic Programs
  • Alumni
  • Faculty & Research
  • Baker Library
  • Giving
  • Harvard Business Review
  • Initiatives
  • News
  • Recruit
  • Map / Directions
Faculty & Research
  • Faculty
  • Research
  • Featured Topics
  • Academic Units
  • …→
  • Harvard Business School→
  • Faculty & Research→
Publications
Publications
  • August 2007
  • Case
  • HBS Case Collection

Lightspeed Venture Partners -- International Expansion

By: Krishna G. Palepu and Alison Berkley Wagonfeld
  • Format:Print
  • | Pages:24
ShareBar

Abstract

Looks at various international expansion models for a venture capital firm based in Silicon Valley. Lightspeed Venture Partners believed that India had tremendous potential for venture capital returns--the question was how best to tap into that potential while also growing the firm's presence in the U.S., Israel, and China. The venture firm had recently hired partners in Israel and China, and subsequently opened offices in both countries. The firm was contemplating hiring a third international partner in India and potentially opening a third foreign office. This model seemed to be working in the other two countries, but other U.S. venture firms were entering India in a more aggressive manner. Some venture firms were purchasing local firms and raising money for dedicated India funds. Others were hiring a team of two or three local investors at one time. Lightspeed partners wondered which was the best long-term solution for their firm.

Keywords

Venture Capital; Expansion; Investment Return; Global Strategy; Emerging Markets; Investment; International Finance; Organizational Structure; India; Israel

Citation

Palepu, Krishna G., and Alison Berkley Wagonfeld. "Lightspeed Venture Partners -- International Expansion." Harvard Business School Case 108-010, August 2007.
  • Educators
  • Purchase

About The Author

Krishna G. Palepu

Accounting and Management
→More Publications

More from the Authors

    • January 2023 (Revised March 2023)
    • Faculty Research

    Digital Transformation at Tata Steel

    By: Krishna Palepu, Das Narayandas and Radhika Kak
    • January 2023
    • Faculty Research

    Velong: Rethinking 'Made in China'

    By: Krishna G. Palepu, Nancy Hua Dai and Billy Chan
    • July 2022
    • Faculty Research

    Tata Group in 2021: Pursuing Profits through Purpose

    By: Tarun Khanna, Krishna G. Palepu and Vidhya Muthuram
More from the Authors
  • Digital Transformation at Tata Steel By: Krishna Palepu, Das Narayandas and Radhika Kak
  • Velong: Rethinking 'Made in China' By: Krishna G. Palepu, Nancy Hua Dai and Billy Chan
  • Tata Group in 2021: Pursuing Profits through Purpose By: Tarun Khanna, Krishna G. Palepu and Vidhya Muthuram
ǁ
Campus Map
Harvard Business School
Soldiers Field
Boston, MA 02163
→Map & Directions
→More Contact Information
  • Make a Gift
  • Site Map
  • Jobs
  • Harvard University
  • Trademarks
  • Policies
  • Accessibility
  • Digital Accessibility
Copyright © President & Fellows of Harvard College