One of the most compelling business stories over the past 18 months or so has been that of the Theranos, the developer of a perhaps revolutionary blood testing system, which allegedly allow testing of blood with such a small amount a person would only need their finger pricked. No longer would there be the need to go to a doctor’s office for vials of blood to be drawn but could have it all done at your local apothecary; with drop of blood collected in something called a nanotainer, the sample could be run through the company’s proprietary testing machines to deliver hyper-accurate results.
At least that was the tale the company told. Combined into this tale of a breakthrough technology was the compelling story of the company’s founder Elizabeth Holmes, a Stanford drop-out who founded the company, worked for 10 years to develop the technology, then announced it to the world, all leading to a valuation of over $9 billion. Holmes is a striking fashion maven, always dressed in black pantsuits Her appearance and confidence led investors to rush to put money into the company in its last funding round in 2014.
