Babson Case Number: BAB090 | Length: 28 Pages

Abstract

This case is designed to be used early in the basic new ventures course. A video of Andrew Zenoff answering questions from a class of students is available.
In the basic new ventures course, this case can be positioned immediately before the Neverfail and Jon Hirschtick’s New Venture cases, in which the founders have very successful careers at the time they start their new ventures in the same industry where they have built their careers. They will provide an interesting contrast with Andrew Zenoff, who has had a variety of jobs, none of them amounting to much, before embarking on an entrepreneurial career. Despite his lack of relevant industry experience, Andrew was remarkably good at persuading family, friends, and angels to put money into his venture, but he was not successful at raising funds from professional venture capital firms. Hence, the case is a good link to the Neverfail and Jon Hirschtick’s New Venture cases, where the entrepreneurs were successful in raising venture capital.