MBA Entrepreneurs: Crowdfunding Wipebook

Description

MBA Entrepreneurs: Crowdfunding Wipebook: Abstract

The Wipebook case follows a start-up company over a two-year period.

The company originated from a product idea proposed by a student as part of an MBA entrepreneurship course: an erasable, reusable notebook. Two other students joined him in what was to become the “Wipebook” project. Twelve months into the project, the team had realized one of the most successful crowd-funding campaigns in Canadian history: $424,314 for over 10,000 pre-orders. The partners then went on to appear on a television show, Dragons’ Den, where they accepted an offer of $300,000 for a 25% stake in the company. As the reality of the entrepreneurial process set in, following the initial euphoria, a number of challenges arose.

Teaching objectives

Introduce students to new entrepreneurship approaches:

• Value proposition design
• Lean start-up
• Crowd-funding sites such as Kickstarter

Help students understand the importance of the start-up team:

• Selection and composition
• Resolving legal issues before they become problems
• Managing relationships (and the importance of geography)

Main themes covered

• New entrepreneurial approaches: value proposition design; lean start-up; and design thinking
• The importance of the entrepreneurial team for start-ups
• This case promotes discussion of several important topics: team composition, structure and leadership, conflict resolution, and the importance of corporate governance, even in the early stages of a venture

Concepts and theories related to the case

• Value proposition design
• Lean start-up
• Crowdfunding

Multi-part case

• Part A: Year One: Persistence and Success
• Part B: Year Two: Growth and Obstacles (only included with the Teaching license)
• Part C: Epilogue (only included with the Teaching license)

Additional information

Also available in French.

Teaching notes are available for teachers only. Contact the HEC Montréal Case Centre for more information.