The purpose of this study is to identify the role a business model plays for Venture Capitalists (VCs) when analysing a new venture proposal for funding. The primary data for this research was collected through six qualitative interviews conducted during a two month period. Furthermore, the gathered data was evaluated in accordance with the information found in current literature which describes de term "business model" as well as specific criteria for it. The findings from this research demonstrate that the perception of the role of a business model is strongly similar among the VCs whom were interviewed. They all argued that a business model plays a secondary role in the evaluation process and see it as part of the business plan. At the same time, this research could could pinpoint the fact that no specific instrument including explicit evaluation criteria is currently being implemented by the VCs in question in order to evaluate a business model. Notwithstanding this study cannot be generalized since the pool of applicants included only six Investment Manages working in Venture Capital Funds in Sweden and Mexico. At the same, even though the geographical differences exist, the evaluation process resulted quite similar amongst them. Evidence from this study has demostrated that the current ambiguity of the meaning of the term "business model" is the most frequent perceived challenge to the evaluation of these. Therefore, our interest to shed more light into the topic was encouraged.

Introduction  With great deal of emphasis being placed at a company‘s ability to innovate for its continual survival, and the role the Innovation Cul-ture at a company plays in achieving that innovation, and translating the dream into reality, we set out to study a one such case, Al-Elm Information Security Company, in Riyadh Saudi Arabia, which had achieved phenomenal growth over the last 6 years through innova-tion. Therefore in this thesis will discuss and present the role of In-novation Culture in driving growth, particularly in Al-Elm‘s case, as our case study for this research paper.PurposeThe purpose of this research thesis is to study and analyze the role of innovation culture in Al-Elm Information Security Company‘s con-tinued survival and explosive growth.MethodTo fulfill the purpose of this thesis, we followed qualitative research and conducted semi structured and structured interviews with both open ended and closed ended questions through the means of fae-to-face on site interviews in Riyadh Saudi Arabia where Al-Elm is lo-cated, to collect the empirical data. For this study, we have included only seven interviews out of a total of twelve interviews we con-ducted for the purpose of this research, following purposive sam-pling. In the analysis, we analyzed Al-Elm‘s previous success based on Innovation, its current growth trajectory, as well as future projec-tions based on the Innovation Culture, providing insights based on both the empirical findings as well as literature. We deducted the conclusion that innovation culture is the vital source to keep the company, Al-Elm, continually survive and thrive, and grow fur-ther. Actually innovation culture is embedded in the company system and also is a habit for all the people within the organization. Innovation culture makes employee generate more useful ideas and then put them into practice for the company, which is why company has experienced phenomenal growth and has grown exponentially in terms of revenue and size.

Abstact not available. / Thesis (MBA)-University of Natal, 2004.

Universiẗat der Bundeswehr, Diss.--München, 2007.

Las fórmulas competitivas tradicionales cada vez son menos eficaces en un entorno más dinámico, complejo e hipercompetitivo. Asimismo, la globalización ha generado mayores demandas a las empresas de forma particular a aquellas en países emergentes.Los principales directivos de las empresas de estas economías si quieren convertir sus empresas en actores relevantes de este nuevo escenario mundial tendrán que cambiar sus modelos mentales y poner como prioridad diferentes formas de competir.Para ello, la innovación es vital. Si bien la innovación de productos y procesos es sumamente importante, en este artículo quiero destacar y llamar la atención a una forma nueva e integral de innovación. Esta es la innovación en el modelo de negocio o la business innovation. Después de hacer una revisión de algunas teorías al respecto presento dos mini casos de estudio para ejemplificar algunas de estas ideas.

Magister Commercii - MCom / How entrepreneurs learn to cope and survive in the South African clothing sector, with its high levels of macro-environment turbulence, may engender particular lessons for entrepreneurial learning and related outcomes such as business innovation. Although SME support measures worldwide offer mentorship to assist firm survival and growth, little is known about how entrepreneurs learn under the guidance of a mentor. Formal mentorship is employed with increased frequency as a training intervention suited to entrepreneurs. Entrepreneurial learning is linked to experiential learning in the personal development of the entrepreneur and development of the business venture. Formal mentorship as a medium to enhance entrepreneurial learning is the focus of this study. Past research does not adequately address entrepreneurial learning in the context of prolonged turbulent competitive environments, and the role of formal mentorship as a significant contributor to entrepreneurial learning. This qualitative case study is set within the clothing industry of the Western Cape, which is affected by high levels of competitive turbulence. Entrepreneurs and their mentor's accounts are collected through unstructured and semi-structured personal interviews and analysed using thematic analysis. The mentors are contracted to an organisation that provides business development support to SMEs within the clothing sector. Key participants within this organisation, and their sponsor, are interviewed to study strategic influences on formal mentorship. This constitutes the case and a purposive-snowball sampling strategy was employed. The research shows how strategic sponsorship agreements influence the functions and roles that mentors adopt within a top-down approach to mentoring. While formal mentorship provides a valuable intervention as a training mechanism in the SME sector, a propensity for technically driven mentoring outcomes is specific to the clothing industry case. While entrepreneurial learning is associated with formal mentorship, it does not necessarily influence business innovation. / Davies, C. (2017). Formal mentorship and entrepreneurial learning: The case of a support programme in the Western Cape clothing sector. Masters' thesis. University of the Western Cape

En la actualidad, las personas tienen un ritmo de vida más apurado y pasan más tiempo de sus vidas fuera de sus casas por lo que se transportan con frecuencia. Este ritmo de vida hace que las personas se sientan cansadas y necesitan un momento de descanso. El uso de calzado como zapatos o tacos en el caso de las mujeres ocasiona que sus pies se sientan adoloridos y cansados por lo que genera una necesidad de poder sentirse más confortables al momento de caminar. Ante esta necesidad nace Fleets. Los Fleets son unas medias de algodón suave con las que las personas pueden caminar en interiores o exteriores de una manera cómoda. A diferencia de las medias convencionales, los Fleets se pueden usar sin zapatos debido a una suela de PVC que recubre la planta de los pies ante cualquier daño que se puede causar al pisar objetos con las medias. Del mismo modo, Los Fleets se diferencian de las zapatos convencionales o tacones debido a la portabilidad de los Fleets que se pueden guardar en la comodidad del bolsillo del pantalón. Son flexibles y cómodos con un diseño de vanguardia alineado a las nuevas tendencias. En el presente trabajo se desarrollará todo el proceso de desarrollo de este producto y de las estrategias utilizadas con respecto al modelo de negocio. Se desarrollarán los planes de marketing, Recursos humanos, Responsabilidad Social Empresarial, Operaciones y Financiero. También se evaluará la rentabilidad y viabilidad del proyecto, así como las reacciones del público objetivo a los Fleets a través del concierge. / Nowadays, people have a faster pace of life and spend more time in their lives outside their home so they are transported frequently. This rhythm of life makes people feel tired and need a moment of rest. The use of footwear such as shoes or heels in the case of women causes their feet to feel sore and tired, which creates a need to feel more comfortable when walking. Faced with this need, Fleets was born. Fleets are soft cotton socks with which people can walk indoors or outdoors in a comfortable way. Unlike conventional socks, Fleets can be worn without shoes due to a PVC sole that covers the soles of the feet in the face of any damage that can be caused by stepping on objects with the socks. Similarly, the Fleets differ from conventional shoes or heels due to the portability of the Fleets that can be stored in the comfort of the pants pocket. They are flexible and comfortable with a cutting-edge design aligned to new trends. In this work, the entire development process of this product and the strategies used with respect to the business model will be developed. Marketing, Human Resources, Corporate Social Responsibility, Operations and Financial plans will be developed. The profitability and viability of the project as well as the reactions of the target audience to Fleets through the concierge will also be evaluated. / Trabajo de investigación

La tendencia del consumo saludable está generando que más personas opten por las bebidas más naturales, la cual es una tendencia en el consumo a nivel mundial. Así mismo, en el mundo existe una alta preferencia en el consumo del café (95%), cuyos subproductos como la cascarilla del café no han sido bien aprovechados y en la actualidad se desperdicia más del 80% generando contaminación medioambiental y en otros casos se usa como abono, solo en algunos países del mundo y Latinoamérica están innovando con los subproductos y están usando la cascarilla para producir nuevos productos como infusiones, mermeladas, yogurt, etc. El Perú no está exento de ello, por eso nace Muru Café, una bebida natural a base de la cascarilla de café, cero azúcares, con altos contenidos de carbohidratos, proteínas y minerales, 500 veces más antioxidante que la misma vitamina C, con ligera dulzura y beneficiosa para la salud por su valor nutricional. En el mercado peruano existe este tipo de bebida natural, pero no ha sido industrializado para la comercialización en el mercado, por lo que representa una oportunidad para incursionar en el negocio. Además, por la investigación de mercado, se logró validar el público objetivo y los canales de distribución indirectos para vender las bebidas en minimarkets, tiendas por conveniencia, naturistas y supermercados. Así mismo, el equipo de trabajo está altamente capacitado y con experiencia en producción, ventas, administración y finanzas, lo que nos permite desarrollar un proyecto viable, rentable y sostenible en el tiempo. / The trend of healthy consumption is generating more people opt for more natural beverages, which is a trend in consumption worldwide. Likewise, in the world there is a high preference in the consumption of coffee (95%), whose by-products such as coffee husk have not been well used and currently more than 80% are wasted generating environmental pollution and in other cases use as fertilizer, only in some countries of the world and Latin America are innovating with by-products and are using the husk to produce new products such as infusions, jams, yogurt, etc. Peru is not exempt from this, that is why Muru Café is born, a natural drink based on coffee husks, zero sugars, with high carbohydrate, protein and mineral content, 500 times more antioxidant than vitamin C, with light sweetness and beneficial to health due to its nutritional value. In the Peruvian market there is this type of natural beverage, but it has not been industrialized for commercialization in the market, so it represents an opportunity to venture into the business. In addition, through market research, it was possible to validate the target audience and the indirect distribution channels to sell beverages in minimarkets, convenience stores, naturists and supermarkets. Likewise, the work team is highly trained and experienced in production, sales, administration and finance, which allows us to develop a viable, profitable and sustainable project over time. / Trabajo de investigación

Nuestro modelo de negocio ofrece una propuesta innovadora y saludable que generará beneficios económicos para los accionistas en un corto plazo, ofreciendo al mercado un producto pensado en varios sectores de consumidores con una necesidad insatisfecha. Actualmente, se están generando cambios en los hábitos de consumo hacia los productos orgánicos y estilos de vida saludables. En el mercado se vienen comercializando tintes de todos los colores provenientes de una amplia oferta establecida, dado su grado de industrialización, muchos de estos tintes contienen químicos nocivos para el cuerpo humano. Existen varios segmentos de mujeres que no pueden utilizar estos productos debido a tener complicaciones para su salud. Nuestra propuesta se basa en desarrollar una marca de tintes orgánicos, con la finalidad de atender la demanda de este producto de consumo masivo, atendiendo varios segmentos de mujeres (3), en los cuales encontramos: mujeres embarazadas, con cáncer o que gusten de productos orgánicos. La entrada al mercado será mediante una estrategia de diferenciación de producto, compitiendo directamente con marcas que todavía no están posicionadas en el país, debido a que estamos entrando en un mercado de Océano azul. Nuestra propuesta de valor es ofrecer un producto 100% natural y fácil de aplicar. Generamos valor a través de las diferentes actividades (plan operacional, plan de marketing y plan financiero) que la empresa ha podido identificar asegurando el correcto desarrollo del proyecto. / Our business model offers an innovative and healthy proposal that will generate economic benefits for shareholders in the short term by offering the market a product based on many consumer segments with an unmet need. At present, there are changes that are being made in the consumption habits of organic products and healthy lifestyles. In the market, hair dyes of all colors from a wide established offer are being commercialized and due to their degree of industrialization, many of these hair dyes have harmful chemicals to the human body. These products cannot be used by many segments of women because of the complications they bring to their health. So, our proposal is based on developing a brand of organic hair dyes with the objective to satisfy the demand of this mass consumption product by meeting many segments of women (3), these are women who are pregnant, have cancer or like organic products. The market entry will be through a product differentiation strategy and due to our entry in a blue ocean market, the direct competition are brands that are not yet positioned in the country. Our value proposition is to offer a 100% natural and easy to apply product. We generate value through the different activities (operational, marketing and financial plan) that the company has identified ensuring the correct development of the project. / Trabajo de investigación

El mundo digital está en continuo desarrollo y cada vez nos presenta un cumulo de opciones que satisfacen las necesidades de los usuarios. Una de estas necesidades es la adquisición de útiles escolares y de oficina de manera rápida y segura. A todos nos ha sucedido que requerimos de un material escolar de forma inmediata y no tenemos un lugar cercano donde comprarlo, es por ello que se creó una idea de negocio que satisfaga esa necesidad. Esta idea fue llamada UtilYa. El objetivo de este proyecto es proveer al mercado limeño de una opción válida de compra y reparto de útiles escolares y de oficina de manera virtual. Con ello les presentamos un formato didáctico para comprar útiles y les ofrecemos nuestro servicio de entrega a sus domicilios. Para la sustentación de este proyecto se han realizado múltiples experimentos. En primer lugar, se ha validado que de verdad existe la necesidad antes comentada. Luego, se validó las posibles soluciones y los concierge del proyecto. Finalmente, lo que nos resultó más importante fue validar el canal de atención y comunicación con nuestros clientes; al igual que validar las intenciones de compra. Teniendo esto en cuenta, ponemos a disposición de los lectores tomar como ejemplo nuestro proyecto para futuras ideas de negocio que puedan ser sostenibles en el tiempo y que sean innovadoras en todo sentido. / The digital world is in continuous development and every time it presents us with a series of options that satisfy the needs of the users. One of these needs is the acquisition of school and office supplies quickly and safely. It has happened to all of us that we require a school material immediately and we do not have a nearby place to buy it, which is why we created a business idea that satisfies that need. This idea was called UtilYa. The objective of this project is to provide Lima´s market with a valid option to purchase and distribute school and office supplies in a virtual way. With this we present a didactic space to buy supplies and we also offer our delivery service. Multiple experiments have been carried out to support this project. First of all, it has been validated that the need mentioned above really exists. Then, the possible solutions were validated and the way the project could be presented. Finally, what was most important to us was to validate the customer service and the communication channel; as well as validate purchase intentions. With this in mind, we make it available to readers to take as an example our project for future business ideas that can be sustainable over time and that are innovative in every way. / Trabajo de investigación