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500 Startups: Scaling Early-Stage Investing
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Reference: SGSB-E528-E
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Year: 2014
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Number of pages: 31
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Geographic Setting: Silicon Valley
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Publication Date: Sep 5, 2014
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Source: Stanford Graduate School of Business (USA)
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Type of Document: Case
Description
This case focuses on the investment strategy employed by 500 Startups, an early-stage investment firm founded by Dave McClure. McClure, an outspoken personality in Silicon Valley, believes that the venture capital industry is not innovating quickly enough to adapt to large-scale changes. The cost of starting a company has plummeted over time, enabling investors to write smaller and smaller checks. The exit options for companies have expanded, allowing investors to realize returns earlier than in the past, though typically at lower valuations. Major customer acquisition platforms are enabling startups to disrupt traditional businesses. Finally, opportunities for investment abound overseas in rapidly growing emerging markets, in McClure’s opinion. Though not everyone in Silicon Valley agrees with all of McClure ideas, he seeks to scale 500 Startups into the first “guild-based” international venture capital firm.