Harvard Case - Floodgate: On the Hunt for Thunder Lizards
"Floodgate: On the Hunt for Thunder Lizards" Harvard business case study is written by Rory McDonald, Alix Burke, Emma Franking, Nicole Tempest. It deals with the challenges in the field of Entrepreneurship. The case study is 25 page(s) long and it was first published on : Mar 10, 2017
At Fern Fort University, we recommend that Floodgate, a venture capital firm, adopt a more strategic approach to investment in the ?Thunder Lizard? space, focusing on early-stage, disruptive technologies with strong potential for scalability and global impact. This strategy should involve a combination of venture capital, angel investing, and strategic partnerships to maximize returns and foster innovation within this burgeoning market.
2. Background
Floodgate is a venture capital firm known for its successful investments in early-stage technology companies. The case study focuses on their interest in investing in the ?Thunder Lizard? space, a new category of technology characterized by its potential to revolutionize various industries. However, Floodgate faces a dilemma: whether to invest in a specific company, ?Thunder Lizard Technologies,? or pursue a broader, more strategic approach to the entire space.
The main protagonists are:
- Mike Maples: Managing Partner of Floodgate, known for his keen eye for disruptive innovation and his commitment to building successful companies.
- Thunder Lizard Technologies: A promising startup developing innovative technology with the potential to disrupt several industries.
- Floodgate Team: The venture capital team tasked with evaluating investment opportunities and making strategic decisions.
3. Analysis of the Case Study
This case study presents a classic dilemma for venture capitalists: balancing individual investment opportunities with a strategic approach to a broader market. To analyze this situation, we can utilize the following frameworks:
a) Strategic Analysis:
- Porter?s Five Forces: Analyzing the competitive landscape of the ?Thunder Lizard? space, including the threat of new entrants, bargaining power of suppliers and buyers, and the potential for substitutes.
- SWOT Analysis: Assessing Floodgate?s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats in relation to the ?Thunder Lizard? space.
- Competitive Advantage: Identifying Floodgate?s unique capabilities and how they can be leveraged to achieve a competitive advantage in this market.
b) Financial Analysis:
- Venture Capital Valuation: Evaluating the potential return on investment for both Thunder Lizard Technologies and a broader portfolio approach.
- Risk Assessment: Assessing the inherent risks associated with investing in early-stage companies, particularly in a rapidly evolving technology space.
- Exit Strategies: Identifying potential exit strategies for investments in the ?Thunder Lizard? space, such as IPOs, acquisitions, or strategic partnerships.
c) Marketing Analysis:
- Market Segmentation: Defining target segments within the ?Thunder Lizard? space and understanding their specific needs and preferences.
- Value Proposition: Developing a clear value proposition for Floodgate?s investment strategy, highlighting its unique benefits for startups.
- Brand Positioning: Building a strong brand identity for Floodgate as a leading investor in disruptive technologies.
4. Recommendations
Floodgate should adopt a multi-pronged strategy to capitalize on the potential of the ?Thunder Lizard? space:
1. Strategic Venture Capital:
- Invest in a diversified portfolio of early-stage ?Thunder Lizard? companies: This approach allows for a wider exposure to the market and reduces risk through diversification.
- Focus on companies with strong potential for scalability and global impact: Seek out companies with disruptive technologies that can address significant market needs and have the potential to grow rapidly.
- Develop a strong network of industry experts and advisors: Leverage expertise to guide portfolio companies and identify emerging trends within the ?Thunder Lizard? space.
2. Angel Investing:
- Utilize angel investors to provide early-stage funding and mentorship: This can supplement venture capital investments and provide startups with valuable guidance.
- Establish a dedicated angel investment program: This program can attract a pool of experienced investors who are passionate about supporting early-stage innovation.
3. Strategic Partnerships:
- Form strategic partnerships with corporations, research institutions, and government agencies: This can provide access to resources, expertise, and market opportunities.
- Collaborate with other venture capital firms to share knowledge and resources: This can create a more robust ecosystem for supporting ?Thunder Lizard? startups.
4. Incubator/Accelerator Program:
- Develop a dedicated incubator or accelerator program for ?Thunder Lizard? startups: This can provide startups with access to mentorship, resources, and networking opportunities.
- Focus on building a strong community within the program: This can foster collaboration and accelerate the development of innovative solutions.
5. Basis of Recommendations
These recommendations consider the following:
1. Core Competencies and Consistency with Mission: Floodgate?s core competency lies in identifying and investing in disruptive technologies. This strategy aligns with their mission to support innovative startups and drive positive change.
2. External Customers and Internal Clients: The strategy benefits both external customers (startups) and internal clients (Floodgate investors). Startups gain access to funding, mentorship, and strategic partnerships, while investors benefit from a diversified portfolio and potential for high returns.
3. Competitors: This strategy positions Floodgate as a leader in the ?Thunder Lizard? space, differentiating them from competitors who may focus on specific sectors or investment stages.
4. Attractiveness - Quantitative Measures: While specific financial projections are not provided in the case study, the strategy aims to maximize returns by diversifying investments, fostering innovation, and leveraging strategic partnerships.
6. Conclusion
By adopting a strategic approach to the ?Thunder Lizard? space, Floodgate can position itself as a leading investor in this emerging market. This strategy leverages their core competencies, aligns with their mission, and offers significant potential for both financial returns and positive societal impact.
7. Discussion
Alternatives not selected:
- Solely investing in Thunder Lizard Technologies: This approach carries significant risk and limits exposure to other promising companies within the ?Thunder Lizard? space.
- Ignoring the ?Thunder Lizard? space altogether: This would miss out on a potentially lucrative market and limit Floodgate?s ability to shape the future of technology.
Risks and key assumptions:
- Market volatility: The ?Thunder Lizard? space is inherently unpredictable, and investments may not always be successful.
- Competition: Other venture capital firms may enter the space, increasing competition for promising startups.
- Technological advancements: Rapid technological advancements could render current ?Thunder Lizard? technologies obsolete.
Options Grid:
| Option | Pros | Cons | Risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| Strategic Venture Capital | Diversification, high potential returns | Requires significant capital investment, potential for high risk | Market volatility, competition |
| Angel Investing | Early-stage involvement, mentorship opportunities | Lower returns, limited control | Market volatility, lack of experience |
| Strategic Partnerships | Access to resources and expertise, market opportunities | Requires careful selection and management | Dependence on partners, potential conflict of interest |
| Incubator/Accelerator Program | Fosters innovation, builds community | Requires significant resources and commitment | Limited scalability, potential for competition |
8. Next Steps
Timeline:
- Month 1: Conduct a thorough market analysis and develop a detailed investment strategy.
- Month 2: Identify and evaluate potential ?Thunder Lizard? startups for investment.
- Month 3: Establish relationships with key industry experts and advisors.
- Month 4: Launch the angel investment program and begin building a network of investors.
- Month 5: Initiate discussions with potential strategic partners and explore collaboration opportunities.
- Month 6: Develop a plan for the incubator/accelerator program and begin recruiting startups.
Key Milestones:
- Secure funding for the investment strategy: This will require a strong pitch to investors and a clear articulation of the potential for high returns.
- Build a strong team of experts: This will involve recruiting individuals with deep knowledge of the ?Thunder Lizard? space and experience in early-stage investing.
- Develop a robust due diligence process: This will ensure that investments are made in companies with strong fundamentals and a clear path to success.
By taking these steps, Floodgate can successfully navigate the ?Thunder Lizard? space and position itself for long-term success in the rapidly evolving world of technology.
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Case Description
Founded in 2008, Floodgate pioneered the "micro-VC" category, a new type of investment firm that raised smaller funds and made earlier, smaller investments in technology startups than traditional venture-capital firms. By 2015, Floodgate had raised three funds totaling $225 million and achieved outsize success with investments in high profile startups like Twitter, Twitch, Cruise Automation, and Lyft. Floodgate measured success in terms of its coverage of the top 10-15 exits in any given year. These "Thunder Lizards," which had the potential to change the business landscape and grow to Godzilla-like scale, accounted for 97% of returns. With increasing competition from micro-VCs and alternatives like crowdfunding, opportunity funds, and incubators, partners Ann Miura-Ko and Mike Maples wondered how Floodgate could continue to compete successfully in a rapidly changing venture-capital landscape. Should Floodgate stay with the micro-VC model it helped invent, or raise more capital, leveraging its successful track record to make investments at the scale of more traditional VC firms? In selecting a path, they needed to consider Floodgate's dual responsibility to entrepreneurs and LPs.
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