E-Commerce Building Blocks

Many resources are required to turn business ideas into established, successful companies: funding, business strategy development, human resources, technology, real estate, finance and accounting, as well as the basics - photocopiers and office space. To develop at Internet speed, e-commerce entrepreneurs in early 2000 relied on venture capital, angel financing or similar external funds to gain access to these resources. This business case study provides an overview of major service providers, the relationships and partnerships they offered, and the costs and benefits to the entrepreneur of accessing these services. The five major providers of “building blocks” described are: Internet holding companies, venture capitalists, strategy consultants, Web professional services firms and Internet data services.