HelloZack: Simplifying the Apple Selling Experience

HelloZack is a young entrepreneurial firm based in Paris focused on the purchase and resale of second-hand Apple products, part of a broader ecosystem that supports ongoing use of Apple products. The case recounts its lean startup history, from its conception in late 2015 when a student group identified an unmet need – to allow people who purchase items online to resell them in a quick and uncomplicated way – through to a fully functioning business in mid-2018. Having built sales of €1 million, HelloZack is approaching investors to help expand the business. The case sets out the pitch to investors and the various strategic options for growing the company.

The main teaching objectives are: 1. Learn about a lean startup experiment-driven approach to entrepreneurship and understand how business models emerge over time. 2. Discuss and debate the alternative strategic ideas under consideration for HelloZack and how fast the startup should scale. 3. Analyse an investor pack and determine whether this contains all the elements necessary.