Life History
Iteroparous
A reproductive strategy where organisms breed multiple times throughout their lifetime. The opposite of semelparous (breeding once then dying).
Biological Context
Humans, elephants, and oak trees are iteroparous—they reproduce repeatedly over many years. This strategy spreads reproductive risk across time, allowing organisms to survive bad years and try again. Iteroparous species typically invest more in survival and have longer lifespans.
Business Application
Iteroparous business strategy: building for repeated value extraction over time rather than a single exit. Focus on sustainable competitive advantage and recurring revenue rather than one-time transactions.