The case describes the alternative financing model to women entrepreneurs that Vicki Saunders (Saunders) sought to promote through SheEO, a Canadian venture she founded in 2015. SheEO was based on a 'holistic feminist model' that gave women-led ventures the flexibility to grow at their own pace and on their own terms. It touches upon the need for this alternative investment model that would enable women leaders to come up with solutions to encourage investments in women-led startups, given that all-women teams had never received more than 3% of the total capital raised by various ventures since 2010. Also, the investments made in women-led startups were skewed across sectors since most venture capitalists preferred technology startups, while most of the women-led businesses were in service industries. It describes in detail the key components of the SheEO business funding model that was aligned to the mindset of women entrepreneurs to leverage their talents, strengths, and passion to create sustainable businesses. The SheEO model was built around the principle of 'radical generosity' where the investors (activators) were like-minded women who offered funding with no expectation of any direct financial return. This approach helped create a perpetual funding model which combined the meaning of philanthropy with the impact of investment. It also delves into the inclusive approach to venture selection where preference was given for businesses run by racial minorities, indigenous women, LGBTQ women, or women of color. The model encouraged women entrepreneurs in sectors like education, food sustainability, waste reduction, energy efficiency, inclusion, and biotech innovation where the business fulfilled at least one or more of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Next, it touches upon the personalized localized support system offered to women founders in the form of venture retreats and incubation programs put in place across each region and how selected ventures decided as a group to distribute the available capital rather than adopt the winner-takes-all approach of conventional venture competitions. Though the model carries the potential to help women entrepreneurs the world over to build their business while staying true to their values, the SheEO model has not yet been able to scale up to the levels needed to fulfill its lofty objectives.     More »

Eight workers of Pricol Limited, Coimbatore, were awarded double life imprisonment in the year 2015. They were accused of the murder of Roy George, Vice-President-HR, who had signed the dismissal order of 42 workers. The case was popularly referred to as 'Pricol 8', and 'Free the Pricol 8' became a rallying cry for trade unions and activists among workers across the country. Pricol, a highly successful company, is a manufacturer of automotive ancillaries. It specializes in the manufacture of sensors and speed governors and driver information systems. The firm has manufacturing facilities both in India and overseas. Major automotive manufacturers, both domestic and international, are its customers. This case involved a fight between the labor union and management. It provides an opportunity for an engrossing discussion in the classroom on the role of trade union, issues related to industrial dispute, management tactics for dealing with union, and how labor unions face the consequences of their struggle even as the company makes progress.     More »

The case focuses on a research analyst's exploration of various avenues of enhancing return on his investment, and how he takes a look at the effective inflation hedging techniques and tools available in the Indian market. Approaches of price risk management and return enhancement were used, while a new method of inflation hedging using the commodities index was adopted. The classroom discussion can focus on how retail investors can use the newly introduced Indian commodities index (NCDEX AGRIDEX Index) and on the issues and challenges associated with it.     More »