Product details

The case deals with start-up growth and development as well as opportunities and limitations of technology from a SME (small and medium enterprise) point of view. Koulukaverit.com (or ''schoolfriends'' in English) is a website which assists people in locating their old school friends. The site is, in effect, a huge database with all the schools, colleges, universities and other educational institutions based in Finland. This case deals with many of the challenges facing entrepreneurs in order to create a solid revenue stream and a profitable company. In particular, the case focuses on how the site was created and launched and the decisions in the early months after the website''s creation. A key feature of the case is speed (and time pressure), the website growing quickly, limited information and limited funds. A critical factor is risk: choosing a potential partner; technological (including hackers); and giving up promising careers.