Structure

Structuring includes diverse elements such as business planning, organizational design, resource recruiting, establishing legal and governance structures, and performing due diligence.

Structuring is an iterative process. For instance, an initial business model may prove untenable, and need to be rethought. Or a set of resources refocused. As execution proceeds structure evolves. Structure requires disciplined thought and analytic rigor, and it is often supported by scenarios, plans, pro formas, lists, etc…

Whatever your venture’s status, Criterion Ventures constructs a model to achieve its goals. The components are familiar - business models and strategies, team, funding, legal entities, risk, requirements, etc... Some ventures have clearly defined business models, but need teams. Others have a strong collection of players, but lack a financial model.

We often find elegant structure evolves not from myriads of requirements lists but from a varied team working at the nexus of disciplined thought and creative possibility. As we consider structure, we expand possibilities by bringing players to the table based on the project's needs. We identify and name the best set of partners to move a venture forward, the talent (both paid and volunteer) that will make the venture work.

Concurrently, we consider the possibilities created by various legal structures. We believe the purpose of corporate structure is to manage the relationships necessary to do business. As the rules change and new opportunities emerge, the ability to capture new, unexpected relationships while maintaining existing commitments provides the foundation for success.

With the help of the David and Lucile Packard Foundation, we have developed Structure Lab, a formal framework and learning experience for thinking about structure as part of social venture strategy it.

Learn more about the Structure Lab Experience >>

Learn more about Structure Lab as a Criterion Venture >>