Harvard Case - Movirtu's Cloud Phone Service: Funding a Base-of-the-Pyramid Venture
"Movirtu's Cloud Phone Service: Funding a Base-of-the-Pyramid Venture" Harvard business case study is written by Ted London. It deals with the challenges in the field of Social Enterprise. The case study is 18 page(s) long and it was first published on : Jan 5, 2012
At Fern Fort University, we recommend Movirtu pursue a hybrid funding strategy combining impact investing, venture philanthropy, and social finance to secure the necessary capital for scaling its cloud phone service in developing countries. This approach will enable Movirtu to achieve its triple bottom line goals of social impact, environmental sustainability, and financial profitability.
2. Background
Movirtu is a social enterprise offering a cloud-based phone service that provides affordable and reliable communication to individuals in developing countries. The company aims to bridge the digital divide by enabling access to essential communication services, particularly for the base of the pyramid (BoP) market, which comprises the world's poorest population.
The case study focuses on Movirtu's challenge of securing funding to scale its operations and reach a larger audience. The company faces several obstacles, including limited access to traditional financing options, a lack of awareness about its social impact, and the need to demonstrate a sustainable business model.
The main protagonists of the case study are:
- Movirtu's founders: Driven by a strong social mission to empower individuals in developing countries through affordable communication.
- Potential investors: Seeking to invest in ventures that generate both financial returns and positive social impact.
- Non-profit organizations (NGOs): Supporting Movirtu's mission and potentially acting as partners in delivering services.
3. Analysis of the Case Study
Movirtu's situation presents a classic challenge for social enterprises. The company faces a trade-off between maximizing social impact and achieving financial sustainability. To navigate this challenge, we can analyze the case using the following frameworks:
a) Stakeholder Theory: Movirtu needs to consider the interests of all stakeholders, including its customers, employees, investors, NGOs, and the communities it serves. This includes understanding their needs, expectations, and potential conflicts.
b) Social Impact Measurement: Movirtu needs to develop a robust framework to measure the social impact of its service. This will involve quantifying the benefits to users, such as increased access to education, healthcare, and economic opportunities.
c) Sustainable Business Models: Movirtu needs to develop a business model that is both financially sustainable and socially responsible. This could involve exploring different pricing strategies, partnerships with NGOs, and innovative revenue streams.
d) Social Enterprise Ecosystem: Movirtu should leverage the growing social enterprise ecosystem by engaging with impact investors, venture philanthropists, and social finance institutions. This will provide access to capital, expertise, and networks.
4. Recommendations
a) Impact Investing: Movirtu should target impact investors who are seeking to invest in ventures with a strong social mission and a clear path to financial sustainability. These investors are increasingly attracted to B Corporations and benefit corporations that prioritize social impact alongside financial returns.
b) Venture Philanthropy: Movirtu should engage with venture philanthropists, who are foundations and high-net-worth individuals committed to supporting social ventures. These philanthropists often provide grants and other forms of financial assistance, along with mentorship and expertise.
c) Social Finance: Movirtu can explore social finance mechanisms, such as social impact bonds and microfinance, to access capital from a broader range of investors. These mechanisms often involve partnerships with governments and NGOs to structure investments that generate social returns.
d) Hybrid Funding Strategy: Movirtu should combine these funding sources to create a diversified portfolio of capital. This will reduce reliance on any single source of funding and provide flexibility to adapt to changing market conditions.
e) Social Impact Measurement: Movirtu should develop a robust framework to measure the social impact of its service. This will involve quantifying the benefits to users, such as increased access to education, healthcare, and economic opportunities. This data will be crucial for attracting investors and demonstrating the value of the company's mission.
f) Partnerships: Movirtu should actively seek partnerships with NGOs, government agencies, and other organizations working in developing countries. These partnerships can provide access to new markets, expertise, and resources.
5. Basis of Recommendations
These recommendations are based on the following considerations:
1. Core Competencies and Consistency with Mission: The recommended funding strategies align with Movirtu's mission to provide affordable communication to individuals in developing countries. They also leverage the company's core competencies in technology, operations, and social impact.
2. External Customers and Internal Clients: The recommendations consider the needs of Movirtu's customers, who are seeking affordable and reliable communication services. They also take into account the expectations of investors, who are looking for both financial returns and social impact.
3. Competitors: The recommendations consider the competitive landscape for cloud phone services in developing countries. Movirtu needs to differentiate itself from competitors by offering a unique value proposition that emphasizes social impact and affordability.
4. Attractiveness ' Quantitative Measures: The recommendations consider the potential for Movirtu to achieve financial sustainability and generate a return on investment for investors. The company should develop a clear financial model that demonstrates its profitability and growth potential.
5. Assumptions: The recommendations are based on the assumption that Movirtu can successfully implement its strategy and achieve its social impact goals. This will require strong leadership, a dedicated team, and a commitment to continuous improvement.
6. Conclusion
By pursuing a hybrid funding strategy that leverages impact investing, venture philanthropy, and social finance, Movirtu can secure the necessary capital to scale its operations and achieve its social mission. This approach will enable the company to create a sustainable business model that generates both financial returns and positive social impact.
7. Discussion
Alternatives not selected:
- Traditional bank loans: These are often difficult to obtain for social enterprises due to the perceived higher risk and lack of collateral.
- Equity financing from venture capitalists: While venture capitalists are increasingly interested in social impact, they often prioritize financial returns over social impact.
Risks and key assumptions:
- Market demand: Movirtu's success depends on the demand for its service in developing countries.
- Competition: The market for cloud phone services is becoming increasingly competitive.
- Regulatory environment: Movirtu needs to navigate the regulatory landscape in developing countries.
8. Next Steps
Timeline with key milestones:
- Year 1: Develop a social impact measurement framework, secure seed funding from impact investors and venture philanthropists, and launch pilot programs in target markets.
- Year 2: Expand operations to new markets, secure additional funding from social finance mechanisms, and build partnerships with NGOs and government agencies.
- Year 3: Achieve financial sustainability, demonstrate a positive social impact, and explore opportunities for scaling the business through social franchising or other models.
By taking these steps, Movirtu can position itself as a leader in the social enterprise space and make a significant contribution to bridging the digital divide in developing countries.
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Case Description
Who are the right investors for a for-profit company targeting the world's poor? Before this start-up spends hundreds of hours pursuing venture capital (VC), Movirtu must decide whether a profit-oriented VC investment will fit its vision for both growth and social impact. Movirtu's "Cloud Phone" software is designed for the nearly one billion people who cannot afford mobile phones and, as a result, borrow phones from friends and family. Movirtu provides phone sharers with a private number that sends and receives calls. Movirtu already secured two seed-round impact investors, Gray Ghost Ventures and Grassroots Business Fund. For its next round of financing, Movirtu was approached by TLcom Capital, an experienced VC. Students must decide: will having TLcom as an investor allow Movirtu to not only survive but achieve maximum financial and social impact?
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