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Product cover image for Open-Source Hardware at SparkFun Electronics

Open-Source Hardware at SparkFun Electronics

Joshua Pearce, Kashish Mittal

Product #:W37419
Supplier:Ivey
Discipline:Entrepreneurship, General Management
Setting:United States, 2024
Details:Case (PDF) • 9 pages • 2024-06-20

Subjects:

Entrepreneurship

Industries:

Goods, trade, and consumer services

Geography:

North AmericaUnited States
Your Price:$9.71

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Nathan Seidle, the chief executive officer (CEO) of SparkFun Electronics (SparkFun), was contemplating stepping down from his role. Based in Colorado, SparkFun was founded in Boulder in 2003 and had grown to generate an annual revenue of US$32 million with 146 employees. SparkFun’s commitment to open-source principles had shaped its business model, facilitating a mutually beneficial and collaborative relationship between the company and its users, with community contributions driving rapid innovation and product development. As Seidle stepped down from his CEO role, would SparkFun remain open source?

Learning Objectives

This case can be used in any courses focusing on entrepreneurship as we as IP courses or modules at the undergraduate and graduate level.

By working through the case and assignment questions, students will have the opportunity to do the following:
  • Understand open-source business principles.
  • Receive entrepreneurial insights.
  • Navigate industry shifts and business model evolution.
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Case Study: Open-Source Hardware at SparkFun Electronics (English version) | Ivey Publishing