Start Date
12-13-2015
Description
This case examines the opportunities, benefits, and risks associated with online crowdfunding, which allows entrepreneurs to finance the development of new products and build a community of customers. The case describes how the founder of a startup company came up with the entrepreneurial idea and leveraged Kickstarter to establish and grow his company. The case elaborates how crowdfunding facilitates a firm’s initial development, create visibility, spread word of mouth, and drive initial sales. Students are expected to identify the roles of lead users, community involvement, and stretch goals in crowdfunding as a paradigm of open innovation. The case also poses an intriguing dilemma about how should a crowdfunded company move forward and grow big with alternative funding options. The case is mainly designed for use in a master’s level or upper division undergraduate class on Digital Business, Open Innovation, Strategic IT Management, or Entrepreneurship.
Recommended Citation
Li, Zhuoxin (Allen); Jarvenpaa, Sirkka; and Pattan, Nisha, "Cinetics: Beyond Crowdfunding?" (2015). ICIS 2015 Proceedings. 7.
https://aisel.aisnet.org/icis2015/proceedings/ISedu/7
Cinetics: Beyond Crowdfunding?
This case examines the opportunities, benefits, and risks associated with online crowdfunding, which allows entrepreneurs to finance the development of new products and build a community of customers. The case describes how the founder of a startup company came up with the entrepreneurial idea and leveraged Kickstarter to establish and grow his company. The case elaborates how crowdfunding facilitates a firm’s initial development, create visibility, spread word of mouth, and drive initial sales. Students are expected to identify the roles of lead users, community involvement, and stretch goals in crowdfunding as a paradigm of open innovation. The case also poses an intriguing dilemma about how should a crowdfunded company move forward and grow big with alternative funding options. The case is mainly designed for use in a master’s level or upper division undergraduate class on Digital Business, Open Innovation, Strategic IT Management, or Entrepreneurship.