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• Case | HBS Case Collection | October 2018

  Masayoshi Son and the Vision Fund

  Tom Nicholas, Ramana Nanda and Benjamin N. Roth

  In October 2016 SoftBank Group Corp., the Japanese conglomerate giant caused a significant shock to the worldwide market for venture capital and private equity by announcing the Vision Fund, the largest tech investment fund in the world at close to $100 billion. The reputation of legendary SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son depended on the success of the Vision Fund, a considerable challenge given the difficulties associated with organizing a large pool of capital, investing at scale and generating VC-style returns. By effectively anointing category leaders and deterring competitive entry, would the Vision Fund accelerate innovation or undermine the market forces that have typically produced social value by spurring rapid technological change?

  Keywords: venture capital; private equity; entrepreneurship; strategy;

  Citation:

  Nicholas, Tom, Ramana Nanda, and Benjamin N. Roth. "Masayoshi Son and the Vision Fund." Harvard Business School Case 819-041, October 2018.  View Details

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• Case | HBS Case Collection | November 2016 (Revised October 2018)

  Formlabs: Selling a New 3D Printer

  Frank V. Cespedes, Olivia Hull and Amram Migdal

  Headquartered in Somerville, Massachusetts, Formlabs manufactures 3D printers used to print everything from prototypes and models to jewelry, dental, and sculpture molds. As Formlabs prepares to ship its latest model, the Form 2, Head of Customer Development and Services Luke Winston wonders which strategy will double sales. Should he focus on direct sales or add more channel partners?

  Keywords: 3D printing and manufacturing; sales channel development; Sales strategy; entrepreneurial management; product engineering; prototype; prototyping; Entrepreneurship; Product Launch; Hardware; Business Startups; Customers; Technological Innovation; Growth and Development Strategy; Technology Adoption; Marketing Channels; Marketing Strategy; Product Positioning; Demand and Consumers; Sales; Salesforce Management; Technology Industry; Computer Industry; Manufacturing Industry; United States; Massachusetts; Europe; Asia;

  Citation:

  Cespedes, Frank V., Olivia Hull, and Amram Migdal. "Formlabs: Selling a New 3D Printer." Harvard Business School Case 817-001, November 2016. (Revised October 2018.)  View Details

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• Background Note | HBS Case Collection | January 2018 (Revised August 2018)

  Continuous Software Development: Agile's Successor

  Jeffrey J. Bussgang, Samuel Clemens and Olivia Hull

  In recent years, the twin software development methodologies of continuous delivery and continuous deployment have risen to prominence in the start-up world and beyond. These methods have enabled technology companies large and small to accelerate their product development pipelines and reshape their relationships with customers. Drawing on academic research and interviews with practitioners, this note explores the evolution of iterative approaches to software development, describes the mechanics of continuous development, and assesses the business benefits and challenges of rapid software testing and release.

  Keywords: continuous improvement; continuous development; continuous delivery; continuous integration; product development processes; product development; computer programming; Agile; waterfall; software applications; software engineering; Software; Technology; Technological Innovation; Customer Focus and Relationships; Entrepreneurship; Organizational Change and Adaptation; Organizational Structure; Quality; Product Marketing; Product; Infrastructure; Computer Industry; Technology Industry; Information Technology Industry; Web Services Industry; Massachusetts; Boston;

  Citation:

  Bussgang, Jeffrey J., Samuel Clemens, and Olivia Hull. "Continuous Software Development: Agile's Successor." Harvard Business School Background Note 818-055, January 2018. (Revised August 2018.)  View Details

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