Business Case Studies & Business Publications

Elroy Air: A Start-Up Gets Off the Groun...

Hoopes, Charlotte

Case

Elroy Air: A Start-Up Gets Off the Ground

Hoopes, Charlotte

OB-1448 | Published April 25, 2024 | 11 pages Case

Collection: Darden School of Business

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This case takes the perspective of David Merrill, an entrepreneur and cofounder of Elroy Air (Elroy), a San Francisco start-up in the advanced air mobility (i.e., autonomous flight) industry. Elroy’s business model depended heavily on innovation, not just in terms of developing new technology, but also doing so within a still-nascent industry. Elroy was a capital-intensive venture, due to high research and development costs and the long time horizon to reach profitability; it also faced risky and uncertain business and regulatory environments. The case provides an integrated profile of the company and Merrill and also contains the information needed for students to identify and understand the components of the business model canvas in the context of a start-up venture.

- Understand entrepreneurship and the entrepreneurial journey from the perspective of a founder, including the uncertainties, challenges, and opportunities faced by new ventures - Understand and apply the business model canvas