Prey: startup and public institution alliance while struggling to retain talent

Abstract

Learning outcomes: The purpose of this paper is to study and identify the four core management principles of the POLC management framework: planning, organizing, leading and controlling. In particular, students are expected to understand that the classical conceptual frameworks used in strategic management are useful and valid for the planning principle in tech startups. Case overview/synopsis: This case study presents the story of Tomás Pollak, founder and CEO of Prey Project, a software company dedicated to tracking stolen mobile devices. It covers a period of six years beginning at the foundation of the company in 2009 and up to 2015, when the company faced the choice of entering into an alliance with a government agency: The Investigations Police of Chile (PDI or Policía de Investigaciones de Chile). Tomás faced the decision of either going through with the alliance, while dealing with the dire need of recruiting and retaining company talent. This case highlights several management challenges and common strategies faced by entrepreneurs and is intended to spark a class discussion about how the relevance of these management concepts in the context of startups. Complexity academic level: Undergraduate, MBA or Post-Graduate courses: Estudiantes de pregrado y postgrado o MBA: Entrepreneurship, Venture Creation, Tech Ventures / Startups / Scaleups, Management / Corporate Management / Business Administration, Strategy. Supplementary materials: Teaching Notes are available for educators only. Please contact your library to gain login details or email support@emeraldinsight.com to request teaching notes. Subject code: CSS 3: Entrepreneurship. © 2019, Emerald Publishing Limited.