Publications

June 2009
Teaching Note

Stryker Corporation: In-sourcing PCBs (TN)

By: Timothy A. Luehrman

Teaching Note for [207121]. View Details

Keywords: Investment; Capital Budgeting; Valuation; Investment Return; Mathematical Methods; Medical Devices and Supplies Industry

August 2007 (Revised February 2008)
Case

Pinnacle Ventures

By: Michael J. Roberts, William A. Sahlman and Elizabeth Kind

Describes a prospective "venture debt" loan to a new venture from the perspective of Patrick Lee, a principal at Pinnacle Ventures. Forces students to grapple with the nature of financial risk in the start-up firm and assess the prospective risks and returns to a... View Details

Keywords: Risk and Uncertainty; Venture Capital; Investment Return; Business Startups; Financial Services Industry

March 2001 (Revised March 2003)
Case

Chase's Strategy for Syndicating the Hong Kong Disneyland Loan (B)

By: Benjamin C. Esty and Michael Kane

Supplements the (A) case. View Details

Keywords: Working Capital; Project Finance; Relationships; Financing and Loans; Financial Strategy; Tourism Industry; Hong Kong

October 2012
Teaching Note

Hill Country Snack Foods Co. (Brief Case)

By: W. Carl Kester and Craig Stephenson

Keywords: United States; Debt Management; Retail Trade; Risk Management; Food; Capital Structure; Borrowing and Debt; Financial Strategy; Retail Industry; United States

March 2005 (Revised December 2005)
Case

Morgan Stanley and TRAC-X: The Battle for the CDS Indexes Market

Morgan Stanley's credit derivatives business, specifically its collateralized debt obligation (CDO) business, has been hugely successful. One of its leading offerings is the TRAC-X product, jointly created and marketed by Morgan Stanley and JP Morgan. However, a new... View Details

Keywords: Credit Derivatives and Swaps; Product; Competition; Capital Markets; Financial Services Industry

Find at Harvard

2003
Class Lecture

Renewing Markets for Better Governance

By: Krishna G. Palepu

Keywords: Capital Markets; Corporate Governance; Governing Rules, Regulations, and Reforms

March 1998 (Revised August 1999)
Case

Band of Angels, The

"The Band of Angels" is a well-organized but independent group of wealthy entrepreneurs. This case details the principles and processes used by the band and offers two perspectives from entrepreneurs who have been financed. View Details

Keywords: Business Startups; Entrepreneurship; Borrowing and Debt; Venture Capital; Perspective

November 1998 (Revised April 1999)
Case

Wireless Telecom Negotiation

By: Jay O. Light

A venture capital/private equity fund is preparing to negotiate with the two parties in a prospective PCS joint venture: the entrepreneur and AT&T Wireless. The negotiation will decide how equity and control are shared in the venture. View Details

Keywords: Joint Ventures; Entrepreneurship; Venture Capital; Private Equity; Governance Controls; Negotiation Deal; Wireless Technology; Telecommunications Industry

July 1997 (Revised September 1997)
Case

USAA: Catastrophe Risk Financing

By: Kenneth A. Froot and Mark Seasholes

Describes the first major risk financing using catastrophe bonds. Provides a basis for discussing the securitization of insurance risks. View Details

Keywords: Financial Management; Insurance; Capital Markets; Natural Disasters; Risk Management; Bonds; Insurance Industry; Financial Services Industry; United States

September 1998 (Revised August 1999)
Case

Walnut Venture Associates (B): RBS Due Diligence--Customers

Supplements the (A) case. View Details

Keywords: Venture Capital; Business Plan; Research; Entrepreneurship; Applications and Software; Business Startups; Information Technology Industry

30 Mar 2015
News

Leveraging the power of yes

Sasha Dichter (MBA/MPA 2002) is chief innovation officer at Acumen Fund, a nonprofit global venture fund that invests in early-stage companies to solve issues stemming from poverty. “One of the things I’ve learned is how expressive and personal philanthropy is, and... View Details

11 Jun 2012
News

Starting Up in Brazil

Keywords: Clothing and Clothing Accessories Stores; Retail Trade; Miscellaneous Store Retailers; Retail Trade

01 Jun 2012
News

Pitfalls, Trade-Offs, Dreaming Big

and capital may benefit greatly from a VC’s experience, contacts, and financial resources. A downside is that VCs often will be inclined toward courses of action that a King founder might not like. Also, it’s important to remember that in... View Details

Keywords: Garry Emmons; Health, Social Assistance; Data Processing, Hosting, and Related Services; Information; News, Library, Internet, and Other Services; Information

March 2000
Background Note

Venture Capitalist as Entrepreneur, The

By: Robert J. Robinson and Noam T. Wasserman

Introduces students to negotiations between venture capitalists (VCs) and the limited partners who provide the VCs' capital. Also discusses negotiations between VCs and other VCs, including those within a VC firm itself. Explores interests, sources of negotiating... View Details

Keywords: Business Model; Venture Capital; Capital; Negotiation Tactics; Entrepreneurship; Financial Services Industry

18 Jul 2016
Research & Ideas

Is Greed Ruining Private Equity Firms?

In a first-ever look at the internal economics driving private equity partnerships, Harvard Business School researchers have found that many of these funds can be torn apart by greed among founding partners who take home a much bigger share of profits than other senior... View Details

Keywords: by Dina Gerdeman; Banking; Financial Services

21 Jan 2016
Working Paper Summaries

The Globalization of Angel Investments: Evidence across Countries

Keywords: by Josh Lerner, Antoinette Schoar, Stanislav Sokolinksi & Karen Wilson; Financial Services

March 1994 (Revised June 1999)
Background Note

Real Options: Valuing Managerial Flexibility

Provides a basic understanding of real options in corporate finance. Traditional discounted cash flow techniques (NPV) do not deal well with managerial flexibility or future response to uncertainty. The value of this flexibility can be significant and is handled well... View Details

Keywords: Strategy; Capital Budgeting; Corporate Finance