In June 2013, redbus.in, a bus ticketing website, was acquired by the Ibibo Group, a subsidiary of South Africa based internet and media firm Naspers Ltd, for USD 135 million. Soon after signing the deal, Phanindra Sama - CEO and co-founder of redBus, went for a holiday to London along with his parents. Sama remained incommunicado during the 10 day trip by not acquiring a local number and not accessing his emails. During Sama's absence, senior management team of Alok Goel and Satish Gidugu at redBus along with three mid-level managers submitted their resignation. Apart from employees of redBus, the Ibibo takeover team was also ‘foxed’ as desperate calls and emails to Sama elicited no response. This case examines the chaos created due to Sama's absence and helps in understanding the issues when a technology start up is acquired.
Article navigation
Case Study|
August 10 2016
The redBus in Saga: Managing the Start-up Acquisition Phase Available to Purchase
Amarpreet Singh Ghura;
Amarpreet Singh Ghura
Research Associate
Search for other works by this author on:
Abhishek
Abhishek
Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad.
Search for other works by this author on:
This case has been written on the basis of data available in public domain. The description of events is based on authors’ interpretation of the events as they have been reported in different media outlets.
Received:
June 19 2020
Online ISSN: 1111-111X
Print ISSN: 1111-111X
© 2016 by the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad
2016
Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad
Licensed re-use rights only. Cases of the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad, are prepared as a basis for class discussion. They are not designed to present illustrations of either correct or incorrect handling of administrative problems.
Teaching Notes 1–8.
Article history
Received:
June 19 2020
Connected Content
Teaching Notes:
The redBus in Saga: Managing the Start-up Acquisition Phase
See also
-
relatedCaseResource
Citation
Ghura AS, Abhishek (2016;), "The redBus in Saga: Managing the Start-up Acquisition Phase". Teaching Notes, Vol. ahead-of-print No. ahead-of-print.
Download citation file:
Email alerts
Suggested Reading
The redBus in Saga: Managing the Start-up Acquisition Phase
Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (August,2016)
Spending consulting dollars wisely: a guide for management teams
Human Resource Management International Digest (October,2007)
Leadership and solidarity behaviour: Consensus in perception of employees within teams
Personnel Review (September,2006)
Courageous leadership – what defines it in the modern organisation
Strategic HR Review (February,2020)
Spending consulting dollars wisely: a guide for management teams
Team Performance Management: An International Journal (March,2007)
Related Chapters
Pre-M&A “Leadership” Eight Years Later: How Has Behavioral Due Diligence Faired?
Advances in Mergers and Acquisitions
Acquisitions and Open Innovation – A Literature Review and Extension
Mergers and Acquisitions, Entrepreneurship and Innovation
A Design Thinking-Based Conceptualization of the “How” and “What” of Nascent Social Venture Development
Models of Start-up Thinking and Action: Theoretical, Empirical and Pedagogical Approaches
Recommended for you
These recommendations are informed by your reading behaviors and indicated interests.
