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Preface

As the Fourth Industrial Revolution transforms the technological foundations of global enterprise, the phenomenon of firms growing at unprecedented rates has become commonplace. The popular view associates hypergrowth with tech start-ups, the famous unicorns and gazelles so prevalent in the media. Contrary to this view, however, unicorns and gazelles are not the only beneficiaries of the scaling opportunities made possible by the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Indeed, hypergrowth is being cultivated by companies both young and old, both public stars and hidden champions. Learn more about how global firms are mastering hypergrowth in the new normal.

About the Project

Hypergrowth has moved out of Silicon Valley and become a global phenomenon. Companies are innovatively cultivating hypergrowth and learning to lead while rapidly scaling and expanding their business. This project shows how global business leaders are learning to manage extreme growth opportunities on the back of the 4th Industrial Revolution.

Hypergrowth Playbook

Management challenges abound for hypergrowth firms. From creating, growing and managing markets to sourcing innovative global talent to handling regulatory bottlenecks, Hypergrowth firm leaders make decisions at a rapid pace. How do they respond when facing these challenges? Click here to see the decisions that helped master hypergrowth for these CEOs.

Best Practices

Agility

Agility is a key capability that must be fostered to manage hypergrowth.

Best Practices

Business Models

The right business model for hypergrowth can arise at different enterprise lifecycles.

Best Practices

Markets and Clients

Discovering opportunities in undeveloped and underserved markets presents a challenge for any company.

Best Practices

Regulation

Governments and other regulators are facing the challenge of rapidly changing technological and socio-economic developments.

Best Practices

Scalability

Scalability in the hypergrowth context means that the business, as a complete system, is able to enlarge its activities in multiple markets simultaneously.

Best Practices

Stakeholder Management

Hypergrowth companies are able to solve key challenges through close management of their stakeholders.

Best Practices

Talent

Talent is perhaps the most significant factor for hypergrowth companies.

Best Practices

Technology

Hypergrowth companies are deeply indebted to the enabling attributes of technology’s central role in the global economy.

Hypergrowth Profiles

Beyond the fog of the global conglomerates and hyper-valued unicorns, there are businesses that range from start-ups to over seventy years old that are finding ways to achieve hypergrowth. Meet 6 companies with different profiles of Hypergrowth experience.

Best Practices
Innovation & Leadership

Adapting to Uncertainty

This profile showcases a company that has been faced with an extremely volatile business environment.

Best Practices
Innovation & Leadership

Agility at a Pivotal Stage

Uncompromised purpose and long term commitment.

Best Practices
Innovation & Leadership

Building Trust and Reputation

A Private Equity firm that is focused on a high growth market.

Best Practices
Innovation & Leadership

Business Model Simplicity

Early understanding of a megatrend and successful application of a tested business model.

Best Practices
Innovation & Leadership

Reinventing the Company

Importance of understanding market requirements in a changing high-growth business environment.

Best Practices
Innovation & Leadership

Scaling Through Diversification

This profile showcases a company that has continuously scaled with multiple means.

Infographics

Hypergrowth companies’ priorities differ from other growth companies. Learn more about their priorities and more about our findings.

See infographics

How are companies becoming more innovative and leveraging digital opportunities? Learn more from relevant publications on the Forum’s Agenda platform.

Contributors and Acknowledgements

The World Economic Forum’s many communities of members have given their time, data, knowledge and experience in support of this project. We gratefully acknowledge their contributions and thank them for helping pull the veil back on this valuable enterprise topic.

Downloads

Download key findings and reports for further exploration.

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AGENDA
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AGENDA
What makes some companies grow phenomenally quickly?

AGENDA
What is hypergrowth, and what can we learn from it?

AGENDA
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Online report by Design Resources Ltd