Unlocking the Closet: Venture Capital and the Global Expansion of a Middle East Luxury Goods Marketplace

In 2018, the Luxury Closest (TLC), an e-commerce marketplace for pre-owned luxury goods based in Dubai, receives Series C investment from two venture capital firms, Middle East Venture Partners and Wamda Capital. CEO Kunal Kapoor needs to evaluate three distinct paths for the company’s expansion over the coming 18 months. The case follows the development of TLC since its founding in 2012, the role of venture capitalists in its growth, and the choices facing the company as it considers how to deploy the funding to expand globally.

Understand (a) the differing perspectives of entrepreneurs and venture capitalists in an early-stage VC investment; (b) how entrepreneurs and venture capitalists co-create an e-commerce start-up venture; and (c) the differences between venture capital in an emerging market like the Middle East and established locations such as Silicon Valley.