13: Building the Startup Team

Summary Entrepreneurship is a team sport. What are the critical human resource issues for new ventures? The NanoGene case examines the big three: assembling a team, developing a compensation policy, and creating an innovative culture..

Quote of the Day: "Never, never, never, never give up." ~ Winston Churchill  

Guests (Click for Bios)
Dan Dorosin, Fenwick and West
Lewis Cirne, New Relic

Study Question (Policy on Study Questions)

• What are the risks of removing Lew Cirne? Of keeping him?
• What are the pros and cons of Wily's approach to finding a new CEO?
• As Lew Cirne, why would Dick Williams want to replace you as Chairman?
• As David Strohm, if Lew rejects Dick Williams' demand and threatens to leave Wily, what would you do?

Team Case Analysis (Policy on Case Analyses.) - Group A only submits
Pretend that you are David Strohm. How will you encourage Lew Cirne to accept the deal and what actions will you take to ensure a smooth transition?

Required Readings (Policy on Required Readings.)

• Technology Ventures (Byers, Dorf, and Nelson):  Ch 12-14 (Highlights)
• Case: Wily (Purchase at HBS site:  http://cb.hbsp.harvard.edu/cb/access/5992713 )
  

Watch the following short video clips: