Modern MBA

Data

Uber

The American company that turned ride-hailing into a category, still the largest outside China, with a delivery arm nearly as big.

10 figures on Uber, drawn from 3 Modern MBA case studies.

The figures

US dollars8

Against its own chart
Operating income in millions · 2022−$1,832M1st of 7 · worst −$8,596MWhy the scooter startups all went bankrupt
Operating income in millions · 2016−$3,023M2nd of 7 · worst −$8,596MWhy the scooter startups all went bankrupt
Operating income in millions · 2018−$3,033M3rd of 7 · worst −$8,596MWhy the scooter startups all went bankrupt
Operating income in millions · 2021−$3,834M4th of 7 · worst −$8,596MWhy the scooter startups all went bankrupt
Operating income in millions · 2017−$4,080M5th of 7 · worst −$8,596MWhy the scooter startups all went bankrupt
Operating income in millions · 2020−$4,863M6th of 7 · worst −$8,596MWhy the scooter startups all went bankrupt
Operating income in 2022, in millions of dollars−$8,512M7th of 7 · top $1,802MWhy the scooter startups all went bankrupt
Operating income in millions · 2019−$8,596M7th of 7 · worst −$8,596MWhy the scooter startups all went bankrupt

Percentages1

Against its own chart
Annual operating margin, 20246%6th of 12 · top 25%Why marijuana legalization never paid off

Durations1

Against its own chart
Duration of chief executive searches at large companies, in months2.2 mo9th of 9 · top 13.5 moWhy Chipotle got so much worse

Case studies covering Uber

Case study — TechnologyWhy the scooter startups all went bankruptA Bird scooter grossed $2,000 a year, cost $1,300 to buy, and $1,000 to maintain. It lost money on every vehicle, always.15 min readCase study — TravelHow Uber made its losses look like profitsUber's one profitable year, 2018, came from stakes in the rivals that had beaten it, not from driving anyone anywhere.10 min readCase study — Food & beverageWhy Chipotle got so much worseA weekly staple became a byword for small portions and high prices in under ten years. Here is what broke.10 min readCase study — Retail & brandsWhy marijuana legalization never paid offEvery public cannabis company loses money. Three self-funded LA shops do not. Being unable to lose money is the advantage.15 min read

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