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  • June 2008 (Revised July 2008)
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How Serial Entrepreneurs Build and Manage a Board of Directors in a Venture-Backed Start Up

By: Michael J. Roberts, William A. Sahlman and Sasha Novakovich
  • Format:Print
  • | Pages:27
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Abstract

This case includes structured interviews with four serial entrepreneurs about the way in which they built and used their boards in each of their companies and what they have learned through that process. These entrepreneurs were asked similar questions, such as "How do you build a board of directors in a venture-backed start up?"; "What do you expect of the board and how do you ensure those expectations are met?"; "What are the most and least value-added board activities?"; "How do you manage the board?"; "How does board composition change over time?"; "What were your biggest surprises about boards?"; and "What advice would you give first-time entrepreneurs?"

Keywords

Business Startups; Entrepreneurship; Corporate Governance; Governing and Advisory Boards

Citation

Roberts, Michael J., William A. Sahlman, and Sasha Novakovich. "How Serial Entrepreneurs Build and Manage a Board of Directors in a Venture-Backed Start Up." Harvard Business School Case 808-163, June 2008. (Revised July 2008.)
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About The Author

William A. Sahlman

Entrepreneurial Management
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  • Khanmigo: Revolutionizing Learning with GenAI By: William A. Sahlman, Allison M. Ciechanover and Emily Grandjean
  • Vida Health: Transforming Chronic Disease Treatment By: William Sahlman and Nicole Tempest Keller
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