KiOR: Catalyzing Clean Energy

Ramana  Nanda; Toby E. Stuart

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Case | HBS Case Collection | March 2009 (Revised July 2009)

KiOR: Catalyzing Clean Energy

by Ramana Nanda and Toby E. Stuart

Abstract

Biofuels start-up KiOR was developing a proprietary technology that had the potential to dramatically impact the emerging renewable energy landscape: a process that converted cellulosic biomass into "bio-crude," a hydrocarbon mixture with properties to those of crude oil. KiOR had been operating as a virtual organization, but with venture financing in place, founder and chief technology officer Paul O'Connor and the KiOR board needed to decide where to headquarter their business.

Keywords: Business Headquarters; Decision Choices and Conditions; Renewable Energy; Entrepreneurship; Geographic Location;

Format: Print

23 pages

Educators Purchase