Describes Gray Security Services, an entrepreneurial South African firm that has recently gone through a financial restructuring with the help of Brait Capital Partners, a private equity firm. Gray provides complete security services to companies in South Africa, other African countries, and some parts of Europe. Many of Gray's clients are multinational firms. Gray is currently considering an IPO in South Africa as well as further international expansion. At this point, Dick Aubin, cofounder and chairman of the firm, faces a number of important questions regarding the firm's financing and directions for future growth. Offers an opportunity to analyze the private equity investment by Brait and the prospects of an IPO in South Africa. Also allows for a discussion about strategic choices regarding international expansion by a South African firm during a time of change in South Africa.

Describes the creation of the first private equity fund in Nigeria and the fund's potential first investment in GS Telecom, a Nigerian telecommunication service company. The fund's managers are keenly aware that a bad first investment could create a vicious circle for the fund. Thus, whether to invest and under what terms is of crucial importance. Can also be taught as a country case on Nigeria with a focus on entrepreneurship, telecommunications, and venture capital.

Sirona, the dental systems business of Siemans AG is being sold through an auction. In September 1997, buyout firm Schroder Ventures has to decide whether to make a binding offer for the business. Schroder has done extensive due diligence with support from a team of consultants. There seems to be some unrealized growth potential as well as room for cost reduction at Sirona. But there is also considerable uncertainty around cost reduction and growth scenarios. Furthermore, there seem to be problems at Sirona subsidiaries abroad. Finally, the financing will depend on the feasibility of a high-yield offering, a first of its kind in Germany.

Describes Mandic BBS, one of Brazil's first Internet service providers. In April 1998, with competition increasing, its venture capitalist financier is looking to exit their investment. Aleksandar Mandic must decide which potential investor offers the best fit with his company and at what valuation and under what terms he is prepared to sell. Interested parties include a group of U.S. financial investors, an Argentine company with broad telecommunications ambitions in Latin America, and another Brazilian ISP.

Describes TelePizza, is Spain's leading chain of pizza restaurants and delivery services. TelePizza has experienced rapid growth to 500 stores since its creation in 1987. The company went public on the Spanish stock market in late 1996. Franchising has played an important role in the firm's expansion to date. For further growth, the founder and CEO is contemplating three strategies: further expansion in Spain, international expansion, or the creation of new restaurant concepts.

Georgian Glass and Mineral Water (GGMW), was created in 1995 by a Georgian entrepreneur and Western investors in Georgia (former Soviet Union) to bottle and market the famous mineral water from the Borjomi valley. At the height of the Soviet Union's power, Borjomi was Georgia's leading export product with 450 million half-liter bottles per year. During the early 1990s, however, Borjomi factories suffered underinvestment, theft, and neglect. GGMW's management needs to raise additional financing in order to fully capitalize on the market opportunity. Furthermore, management is faced with serious operating challenges in a newly privatized economy.

JAFCO, a large Japanese venture capital firm, is making a second attempt to enter the U.S. venture capital market. The U.S. subsidiary, JAFCO America Ventures, is in the midst of a challenging turnaround. Going forward, the U.S. subsidiary's leadership needs to make a number of important decisions regarding investment focus, deal flow generation, compensation, and cooperation with the Japanese parent company.

QI-TECH, is a Chinese manufacturer of precision coordinate measurement machines. A foreign investor who holds 50% of QI-TECH must negotiate a sale with its Chinese partner and a potential buyer (a large Western measurement machine company). For this purpose the foreign investor must value the joint venture and develop a viable deal structure and negotiation strategy.

Apax, a private equity firm, has an opportunity to invest in a travel-related print-materials distribution business in Germany. Infox is typical of many buyout opportunities. One of the founders seeks to exit the business, and recently hired managers will have to assume an increased level of responsibility. To make its investment decision, Apax has to value the company and secure debt financing. In this context Apax has to assess not only the growth opportunities for Infox but also whether remaining management is up to the job.

Absolute Sensors is a new spin-off from a scientific consulting firm. Collins and his team must address issues such as: what market(s) to target, how and from whom to raise money, and to what extent they should engage in manufacturing their products.

Describes Singulus, the compact disk metallizer business of Leybold AG, a large German company, which has been put up for sale. In April 1995, buyout firm Schroder Ventures has to decide whether to acquire the business. The investment decision is complicated by a number of factors, including Singulus' assets, which at this stage consist primarily of intellectual property and a customer list.

Spotfire, a software start-up, must address the question of dividing its effort between Sweden and the United States in addition to raising venture capital, obtaining new customers, and managing early-stage growth.

Cityspace, a kiosk-based tourism services company, is facing a number of challenges to its development. The most pressing is the need to raise capital.