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Movirtu

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Recommendation

We recommend that Mr. Waller accept funding from traditional VCs, and more-so from VCs such as TLcom, for two main reasons 1. Large scale of funding that Movirtu needs to achieve its market expansion and growth targets 2. Synergies arising from fit between Movirtu’s aspirations and the VCs’ expertise.

Movirtu and the Cloud Phone Market

Movirtu's vision is to unlock the value of mobile communication for a market of 4 billion bottom-of-the-pyramid (BoP) population spread across Asia, Africa and South America. As a pioneer in the field of device-less cloud phones Movirtu has created an innovative business model by setting up strategic partnerships with mobile network operators (MNOs), employing rural population, and engaging small telecom entrepreneurs, while sharing value with all these participants in Movirtu's value chain.
Scope
We estimate that by entering into a typical sub-Saharan African country, Movirtu can target revenues of more than $2MM over 3 years (market penetration of 3 to 8 percent over three years). Movirtu plans to enter at least 10-12 such regions by 20133. A directional estimate indicates that Movirtu can turn a profit of $3MM within 3 years. In order to meet these expansion goals and become self-sustaining, we estimate that Movirtu needs an investment of $4-7MM.
Synergies
Traditional VCs’ would help Movirtu in the following areas: * Build strategic partnerships with MNOs * Drive operational and financial efficiencies in Movirtu * Provide legal guidance * Build relationships with governments * Add credibility to Movirtu’s brand * Monetize Movirtu’s technical assets * Identify new market opportunities capitalizing on Movirtu’s R&D * Protect Movirtu’s IP through patents
Traditional investors & Impact investors

While accepting investment from traditional investors comes

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