Whether is be Technology or Life, it helps to know the Game that one intends to play.

Jet.com created massive value through the idea that a successful serial E-commerce entrepreneur could build an online wholesale club.  Using ample cheap capital in the private markets, the Marketing was broad and ambitious including a ‘ridiculous’ marketing video of a massive warehouse being built from the ground-up in NJ.  Using credit cards on the back-end to order from other competitors and cobbling together fulfillment, it didnt seem to matter if the business model and execution were ideal.  They created enough marketing and brand awareness (NY Subway ads and TV spend notwithstanding) to effect an acquisition by Wal-Mart and become their E-commerce presence for a massive $3.3B 18-months into their business.  Timing certainly helped but their plan was marketing all along for an acquisition.  Bravo.

The SoftBank Vision Fund has invested in PortCos similarly leveraged large war chests for a land-grab to grow as quickly as possible and their Valuations were rewarded.  Now that it may be drying up, with some unproven models  – one hopes that they will figure out a Plan B.