Harvard Case - Investure, LLC, and Smith College
"Investure, LLC, and Smith College" Harvard business case study is written by Susan Chaplinsky, Robert S. Harris, Dorothy C. Kelly. It deals with the challenges in the field of Entrepreneurship. The case study is 21 page(s) long and it was first published on : Sep 18, 2007
At Fern Fort University, we recommend that Investure, LLC, proceed with a strategic partnership with Smith College, focusing on developing a joint venture that leverages Investure?s expertise in entrepreneurial financing and investment management to create a robust startup ecosystem within the college and the surrounding community. This partnership will foster entrepreneurship and innovation by providing students, faculty, and alumni with access to venture capital, angel investing, and incubator resources.
2. Background
This case study focuses on Investure, LLC, a venture capital firm specializing in early-stage investments, and Smith College, a prestigious liberal arts college seeking to enhance its entrepreneurial initiatives. Investure?s founder, Michael, recognizes the potential of Smith College?s strong academic reputation and its network of talented alumni to nurture promising startups. Smith College, on the other hand, desires to cultivate a dynamic entrepreneurial environment, providing students with practical experience and opportunities to develop their entrepreneurial mindset.
The main protagonists in this case are Michael, the founder of Investure, LLC, and the leadership team at Smith College, particularly the president and the dean of the business school.
3. Analysis of the Case Study
To analyze this case, we can utilize the Porter?s Five Forces framework to assess the competitive landscape and the Business Model Canvas to evaluate the potential partnership:
Porter?s Five Forces:
- Threat of New Entrants: The startup ecosystem is relatively dynamic, with new players entering the market constantly. However, Investure?s established network and expertise in venture capital provide a competitive advantage.
- Bargaining Power of Buyers: The startup landscape is characterized by a high number of potential investors, giving buyers (startups) some bargaining power. However, Investure?s focus on early-stage investments and its commitment to entrepreneurial financing can attract promising startups.
- Bargaining Power of Suppliers: The suppliers in this case are the startups themselves. Investure?s strong track record and its commitment to fostering entrepreneurial ecosystems can attract high-quality startups.
- Threat of Substitute Products: The threat of substitutes is relatively low, as Investure?s focus on early-stage investments and entrepreneurial financing distinguishes it from traditional investment firms.
- Competitive Rivalry: The venture capital industry is highly competitive, with numerous firms vying for promising startups. However, Investure?s partnership with Smith College can provide a unique value proposition and differentiate it from competitors.
Business Model Canvas:
- Value Propositions: Investure and Smith College can offer a unique value proposition to startups, including access to capital, mentorship, networking opportunities, and a supportive startup ecosystem.
- Customer Segments: The target customer segments are startups founded by students, faculty, and alumni of Smith College.
- Channels: The partnership can leverage Smith College?s existing network and resources, including its alumni association, faculty expertise, and student organizations, to reach potential startups.
- Customer Relationships: Investure can provide mentorship and guidance to startups, fostering strong relationships and building trust.
- Revenue Streams: Investure can generate revenue through venture capital investments and potential equity stakes in successful startups.
- Key Activities: The partnership will involve investment management, mentorship, networking, and incubator services.
- Key Resources: The partnership will leverage Investure?s venture capital expertise, Smith College?s academic resources, and its network of alumni and faculty.
- Key Partnerships: The partnership can involve collaborations with other incubators, accelerators, and angel investors within the community.
- Cost Structure: The partnership will incur costs related to investment management, mentorship, incubator operations, and administrative expenses.
4. Recommendations
Investure and Smith College should establish a joint venture to create a robust startup ecosystem within the college and the surrounding community. This venture should focus on the following key aspects:
- Venture Capital Fund: Establish a dedicated venture capital fund to provide early-stage investments to promising startups founded by students, faculty, and alumni.
- Incubator Program: Develop an incubator program to provide startups with access to workspace, mentorship, networking opportunities, and resources.
- Entrepreneurial Education: Integrate entrepreneurship into the curriculum, offering courses and workshops on topics such as business model innovation, lean startup methodology, pitching to investors, and entrepreneurial leadership.
- Networking Events: Organize networking events to connect startups with potential investors, mentors, and industry experts.
- Alumni Engagement: Leverage the college?s alumni network to provide mentorship and guidance to startups.
5. Basis of Recommendations
These recommendations align with both Investure?s and Smith College?s strategic goals. Investure can leverage its expertise in venture capital and investment management to create a successful startup ecosystem, while Smith College can enhance its entrepreneurial initiatives and provide students with valuable practical experience.
The recommendations are based on the following key assumptions:
- There is a strong demand for entrepreneurial financing and incubator services within the Smith College community and the surrounding region.
- The partnership can attract talented entrepreneurs and investors.
- The venture capital fund can generate attractive returns for investors.
- The incubator program can successfully nurture startups and help them achieve growth.
6. Conclusion
By establishing a strategic partnership, Investure and Smith College can create a thriving startup ecosystem that fosters entrepreneurship, innovation, and economic growth. This partnership can benefit both organizations by providing Investure with access to a talented pool of entrepreneurs and Smith College with a competitive edge in attracting students and alumni.
7. Discussion
Alternative options include Investure establishing a separate venture capital fund independent of Smith College or Smith College developing its own incubator program without Investure?s involvement. However, these options lack the synergy and shared resources that a strategic partnership offers.
The key risks associated with this partnership include:
- The venture capital fund may not generate sufficient returns.
- The incubator program may not be successful in nurturing startups.
- The partnership may not be able to attract enough talented entrepreneurs and investors.
8. Next Steps
To implement the recommendations, the following steps should be taken:
- Develop a detailed business plan for the joint venture.
- Secure funding for the venture capital fund and the incubator program.
- Recruit a team of experienced professionals to manage the venture.
- Develop a marketing plan to attract startups and investors.
- Establish a clear governance structure for the partnership.
The implementation timeline should be flexible and adapted based on the progress of the venture. Key milestones include:
- Year 1: Establish the venture capital fund and the incubator program.
- Year 2: Launch the first cohort of startups in the incubator program.
- Year 3: Expand the venture capital fund and the incubator program.
- Year 4: Evaluate the success of the venture and explore potential expansion opportunities.
This partnership has the potential to become a model for collaboration between venture capital firms and educational institutions, fostering entrepreneurship and innovation on a larger scale. By leveraging their combined resources and expertise, Investure and Smith College can create a dynamic startup ecosystem that benefits both organizations and the surrounding community.
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Case Description
Alice Handy, an investment professional with 30 years' experience as head of the University of Virginia Investment Management Company, has opened a new asset management firm targeted at midsize endowments and nonprofit institutions in January 2004. Her business, Investure, LLC, offered outsourced investment services to institutions with $150 million to $1 billion in assets and access to top-performing managers at lower cost than a fund of funds (FoF). Smith College, a prestigious liberal arts college with a nearly $1 billion endowment, is interested in increasing its current allocation to private equity. Handy and her partner are preparing to meet with Smith's trustees in an attempt to win Smith College as Investure's first client. The case presents three different approaches to private equity investing: direct investment through a traditional limited partnership, investment through an FoF, or investment through Investure's outsourced model. The class discussion presents an opportunity to evaluate advantages and shortcomings of each approach, introduce key terminology, and discuss the current trends in the private equity market. Students are given the cash inflows and outflows for a representative investment in a venture capital fund of the type Handy hopes to invest in on behalf of Smith College. The main analytical task requires students to evaluate the expected gross and net returns generated by the representative investment under each of the different approaches and fee structures.
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