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  • June 2023
  • Case
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Block: Creating an Ecosystem of Ecosystems

By: Lauren Cohen, Richard Ryffel, Grace Headinger and Ruoshi Qi
  • Format:Print
  • | Language:English
  • | Pages:16
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Abstract

At Investor Day 2022, Block announced a new vision for its businesses: creating an ecosystem of ecosystems. Outside the norm for many public growth companies, Block had recently acquired a variety of new business streams in the creator economy and Bitcoin despite a volatile macroeconomic outlook. At the same time Wall Street was growing concerned about slowing payment volume growth in Block’s core business streams and the new initiatives’ added expenses. Would an ‘ecosystem of ecosystems’ strategy again build upon the company’s strong track record and enhance its business model as promised? How could the company balance reluctant investors and Wall Street skeptics while investing in its new initiatives?

Keywords

Business Growth; Fintech; Company Management; Growth Strategy; Innovation And Strategy; Acquisition; Business Growth and Maturation; Business Model; Change; Finance; Growth Management; Growth and Development Strategy; Innovation Strategy; Technological Innovation; Communication Strategy; Corporate Strategy; Business Strategy; Financial Services Industry; Technology Industry; United States; California; San Francisco

Citation

Cohen, Lauren, Richard Ryffel, Grace Headinger, and Ruoshi Qi. "Block: Creating an Ecosystem of Ecosystems." Harvard Business School Case 223-055, June 2023.
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About The Author

Lauren H. Cohen

Finance
→More Publications

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More from the Authors
  • The Micro-Family Office: Aamir Rehman By: Lauren Cohen and Sophia Pan
  • Techint: Strategic Choices for Community Impact By: Lauren Cohen, Virak Prum, Kenneth Charman, Pedro Levindo and Mariana Cal
  • Pouring Oil on Troubled Waters: Vickers Oils and Resolving Family Conflict over Generations By: Lauren Cohen, Octavian Graf Pilati and Sophia Pan
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