Entering StartUpLand: An Essential Guide to Finding the Right Job

Jeffrey J. Bussgang

Book | 2017

Entering StartUpLand: An Essential Guide to Finding the Right Job

Abstract

Many professionals aspire to work for startups. Executives from large companies view them as models to help them adapt to today's dynamic innovation economy, while freshly minted MBAs see magic in founding something new. Yes, startups look magical, but they can also be chaotic and inaccessible. Many books are written for those who aspire to be founders, but a company only has one or two of those. What's needed is something that deconstructs the typical startup organization for the thousands of employees who join a fledgling company and do the day-to-day work required to grow it into something of value. Entering StartUpLand is a practical, step-by-step guide that provides an insider's analysis of various startup roles and responsibilities—including product management, marketing, growth, and sales—to help you figure out if you want to join a startup and what to expect if you do. You'll gain insight into how successful startups operate and learn to assess which ones you might want to join—or emulate. Inside this book you'll find 1) a tour of typical startup roles to help you determine which one might be the best fit for you, 2) profiles of startup executives across many different functions who share their stories and describe their responsibilities, and 3) a methodology to identify and evaluate startups and position yourself to find the opportunity that's right for you. Entering StartUpLand will guide you as you seek your ideal entry point into this popular, cutting-edge organizational paradigm.

Keywords: Business Startups; Managerial Roles; Job Search;

Format: Print

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Citation:

Bussgang, Jeffrey J. Entering StartUpLand: An Essential Guide to Finding the Right Job. Boston: Harvard Business Review Press, 2017.

Case | HBS Case Collection | October 2019 (Revised October 2019)

C16 Biosciences: Lab-Grown Palm Oil

Jeffrey J. Bussgang and Olivia Hull

Synthetic biology start-up C16 Biosciences wants to solve a big problem: replace palm oil, a major contributor to deforestation and climate change, with a lab-grown substitute. CEO Shara Ticku has ambitious plans to supply her lab-grown palm oil to food manufacturers, who use palm oil liberally in a variety of products from ice cream to margarine. In bringing her product to market, Ticku faces a tough decision. Should she roll out the product first in the personal care market, which has lower volumes and premium prices, or go straight for food? The meteoric rise of lab-grown meat company Impossible Foods has caught the attention of an investor, who wonders if C16 should tap into excitement about lab-grown foods to raise a Series A funding round. But are there merits to starting small?

Keywords: Entrepreneurship; Venture Capital; Supply Chain Management; Corporate Social Responsibility and Impact; Mission and Purpose; Natural Environment; Environmental Sustainability; Science-Based Business; Weather and Climate Change; Social Enterprise; Business Startups; Plant-Based Agribusiness; Agribusiness; Food; Social Entrepreneurship; Globalized Markets and Industries; Goods and Commodities; Corporate Accountability; Growth and Development; Innovation Strategy; Technological Innovation; Working Conditions; Product Marketing; Product Positioning; Supply and Industry; Product Development; Production; Corporate Strategy; Agriculture and Agribusiness Industry; Beauty and Cosmetics Industry; Biotechnology Industry; Consumer Products Industry; Food and Beverage Industry; North and Central America; Boston; Massachusetts; New York (city, NY); Southeast Asia; Indonesia; Malaysia;

Citation:

Bussgang, Jeffrey J., and Olivia Hull. "C16 Biosciences: Lab-Grown Palm Oil." Harvard Business School Case 820-008, October 2019. (Revised October 2019.) View Details

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In 2018, Initial Coin Offerings (ICOs) were an emerging fundraising method for blockchain-based projects. As the ecosystem grew, there were many open questions on regulation, pricing, and even which projects were a good fit for blockchain. However, there was already some emerging consensus on the benefits and challenges of building with blockchain and emerging best practices for Initial Coin Offerings.

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Entering StartUpLand: An Essential Guide to Finding the Right Job

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