Elizabeth Holmes (B): The downfall
This case outlines the rise and fall of Elizabeth Holmes and her company Theranos. The company offered a technology with the potential to revolutionize the blood drawing and analysis industry. After dropping out of Stanford and building the company over a ten-year period, Holmes moved out of “stealth mode” and was soon touted as an iconic entrepreneur and the new Steve Jobs. The publication of a Wall Street Journal article, however, highlighted irregularities with the technology and Theranos’s claims thus bringing company under closer examination.
- Explore the role of the board in overseeing companies.
Theranos, Manufacturing, Technology, Healthcare
2003-2016
Cranfield University
Wharley End Beds MK43 0JR, UK
Tel +44 (0)1234 750903
Email [email protected]
Harvard Business School Publishing
60 Harvard Way, Boston MA 02163, USA
Tel (800) 545-7685 Tel (617)-783-7600
Fax (617) 783-7666
Email [email protected]
NUCB Business School
1-3-1 Nishiki Naka
Nagoya Aichi, Japan 460-0003
Tel +81 52 20 38 111
Email [email protected]
IMD retains all proprietary interests in its case studies and notes. Without prior written permission, IMD cases and notes may not be reproduced, used, translated, included in books or other publications, distributed in any form or by any means, stored in a database or in other retrieval systems. For additional copyright information related to case studies, please contact Case Services.
Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications
- Elizabeth Holmes (A): The visionary of Theranos
- Elizabeth Holmes (B): The downfall
- Elizabeth Holmes (A): The visionary of Theranos
- Elizabeth Holmes (B): The downfall
Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications
Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications
Companies need clear guidance to achieve sustainable business transformation. A practical roadmap identifying drivers for effective change can make success more likely.
Why the market for new year predictions is broken and how executives can better use forecasts to discern the implications for their companies.
Power is neither good nor evil; nor is it the ultimate goal. The chief aim is to show leadership, which comes down to how you use your power. Power is neither good nor evil; nor is it the ultimate goal. The chief aim is to show leadership, which c...
GenAI is becoming a more common feature of the supply chain function, but significant areas of opportunity remain, suggests IMD’s Carlos Cordon
In today’s rapidly changing world, the urgency to maintain focus on sustainability has never been greater. While the triple planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution demands immediate action, new challenges such as geopo...
With fact-checking out and community-driven moderation in, Meta is betting big on free speech – but critics warn the move could open the floodgates for disinformation and online harm.
Strategic thinking is key to success. Overcome common excuses and develop the skills to navigate change, drive innovation, and prepare for future business challenges.
In every digital transformation there is a technical side of change and a human side – which is where transformation efforts most often go off the rails. These are the key AI-related workforce challenges every CEO must tackle in 2025. In every dig...
On 15 April 2019, the Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris faced a devastating fire. The Brigade des Sapeurs-Pompiers de Paris (BSPP) mobilized quickly, showcasing strategies in team dynamics, crisis management and coordination under pressure. The case p...
In June 2024, at the CocoaCrafters Operating Centre, Elena Fever faced a crucial meeting with the board of directors. The discussion surrounded how to integrate Generative AI (GenAI) into the company’s supply chain strategy to enhance forecasting ...
in I by IMD
Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications
Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications
Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications
Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications
10 January 2025
Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications
Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications
Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications
Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications
Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications
Case reference: IMD-7-2593 ©2024
Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications