The document discusses how periods of economic uncertainty and downturns can create opportunities for technology companies to emerge and grow. While the Western world currently faces economic pressures, emerging markets continue to see growth. Historically, recessions have spurred innovation as new technologies emerged and became mainstream. The author argues that companies should focus on building solutions for changing customer needs, assemble strong teams, ensure adequate funding, and adapt quickly if their initial business model struggles. Overall, the document presents economic downturns as a chance for technology entrepreneurs to seize opportunities and build great companies.

1. Antrak
Ca p i ta l
Building
Technology
Companies
in
an
Economic
Storm

2. A
period
of
uncertainty
&
change
Images
of
oil,
gold
&
coal

3. The
western
world
is
under
pressure
FTSE
100
&
Dow
30
10
year
return

4. Developing
world
is
driving
growth
Emerging
markets
return
compared
to
The
Dow

5. But
out
of
Adversity…

6. Great
companies
can
grow
The
Long
The
Great
Oil
Crisis
Early
80’s
Depression
Depression
1973-­‐1976
Recession
1873-­‐1895
1929-­‐1939
1980-­‐1983
• IBM
• Texas
• MicrosoQ
• Sun
• Merck
Instruments
• Apple
• Amgen
• GilleHe
• HP
• Genentech
• E*Trade
• Johnson
• 20th
Century
Fox
• Autodesk
Controls
• United
• Adobe
• GE
Technologies
• BMC
SoQware
• AT&T
• EA
• AbboH
• Symantec
• Eli
Lilly
• Bristol
Myers
• PPG

7. Why?

8. Emerging
becomes
mainstream
Out
of
each
downturn,
new
technologies
have
emerged,
grown
&
become
common

9. Opportunity

10. People’s
drivers
are
changing

11. Seize
the
Opportunity
Talent
is
looking
Business
resources
Rapid
adopYon
of
readily
(and
cheaply)
emerging
technologies
available
Growing
new
markets

12. Your
Reality
• FOCUS!
– You
shouldn’t
even
noYce
there
is
a
downturn
• Assemble
a
fantasYc
team
– Outsource
the
rest
• Build
a
great
product
that
the
market
needs
• Make
sure
you’re
funded
sooner
rather
than
later…
• If
the
model
struggles
to
get
tracYon,
change
the
model
–
quickly…

13. Get
Building

14. Antrak
Ca p i ta l
Kevin
Douglas
kd@antrakcapital.com
@kduk