Subject category:
Entrepreneurship
Published by:
Stanford Business School
Version: 31/03/2015
Length: 1 pages
Data source: Field research
Abstract
This supplement is to accompany the case. The Off Grid Electric case focuses on the creation, growth, and financing of the company from 2011 through the middle of 2014. The three co-founders saw an opportunity to provide solar electricity to much of Africa through their solar-as-a-service solution, which they launched in Tanzania in 2012. The Off Grid Electric business model was very capital intensive, and the new venture had several risks from the perspective of investors: market, business model, human resources, technology, and exit. As such, CEO Xavier Helgesen needed to think strategically about how - and when - to raise money in order to grow the business. In addition, the executive team needed to be in agreement on the company’s growth plan. Should Off Grid Electric focus on rapid growth? Should they emphasize generating cash? What would these choices imply for Off Grid Electric's financing needs? At the end of the case, Helgesen receives two term sheets for a potential Series D financing. One is from Zouk Capital, a financial investor, and another is from Solar City, a strategic investor who had previously invested in Off Grid Electric. Students are asked to evaluate the term sheets from Helgesen's perspective, as well as to analyze an investment in Off Grid Electric from the perspective of an investor. This supplement is part of the Stanford Graduate School of Business free case collection (visit www.thecasecentre.org/stanfordfreecases for more information on the collection).
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Abstract
This supplement is to accompany the case. The Off Grid Electric case focuses on the creation, growth, and financing of the company from 2011 through the middle of 2014. The three co-founders saw an opportunity to provide solar electricity to much of Africa through their solar-as-a-service solution, which they launched in Tanzania in 2012. The Off Grid Electric business model was very capital intensive, and the new venture had several risks from the perspective of investors: market, business model, human resources, technology, and exit. As such, CEO Xavier Helgesen needed to think strategically about how - and when - to raise money in order to grow the business. In addition, the executive team needed to be in agreement on the company’s growth plan. Should Off Grid Electric focus on rapid growth? Should they emphasize generating cash? What would these choices imply for Off Grid Electric's financing needs? At the end of the case, Helgesen receives two term sheets for a potential Series D financing. One is from Zouk Capital, a financial investor, and another is from Solar City, a strategic investor who had previously invested in Off Grid Electric. Students are asked to evaluate the term sheets from Helgesen's perspective, as well as to analyze an investment in Off Grid Electric from the perspective of an investor. This supplement is part of the Stanford Graduate School of Business free case collection (visit www.thecasecentre.org/stanfordfreecases for more information on the collection).
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