Publications
Publications
- October 2019 (Revised August 2020)
- HBS Case Collection
Souqalmal: The Choice Is Yours (A)
By: V.G. Narayanan and Alpana Thapar
Abstract
This case describes how Ambareen Musa, Founder and CEO of Souqalmal, a Dubai-based online comparison aggregator of banking and insurance products launched her business in 2011 and rapidly grew it over next couple of years. However, by 2017, the Mauritian entrepreneur observed the emergence of other aggregators in the market and wanted to be ready for the price war that could ensue. To date, Musa had grown Souqalmal’s business by focusing on driving positive unit economics and had refrained from entering a price war. However, she wondered whether she now needed to switch gears and focus on defending her market share by counter discounting. Souqalmal had almost run through the $1.5 million it had raised in seed and series A fundraising from U.K.-based Hummingbird Ventures and angel investors, and was seeking to raise $10 million in a series B round later in the year to fuel geographic growth and team expansion. Musa imminently needed to prepare a forecast for prospective investors, which would be dependent on the retaliation strategy she chose. What should Musa do?
Keywords
Unit Economics; Finance; Accounting; Competitive Strategy; Financial Statements; Insurance Industry; Middle East
Citation
Narayanan, V.G., and Alpana Thapar. "Souqalmal: The Choice Is Yours (A)." Harvard Business School Case 120-028, October 2019. (Revised August 2020.)