Three Reproductive Strategies
A framework for choosing how to transition from growth to legacy based on organizational biology and environment.
A framework for choosing how to transition from growth to legacy based on organizational biology and environment. The three strategies - monocarpic, polycarpic, and hybrid - map to biological reproductive patterns and have specific execution playbooks.
When to Use Three Reproductive Strategies
Use after achieving 35+ score on Flowering Readiness Test when deciding how to execute transition. Choice should follow from what kind of organism you've built and what environment you're in - not from preference.
How to Apply
Strategy 1: Monocarpic (Single Intense Reproduction)
Deploy most/all resources into one reproductive event. Parent may not survive.
Questions to Ask
- Is adult survival low (existential threats, capital constraints)?
- Is the industry disrupting rapidly?
- Would offspring be stronger under acquirer's resources?
- Do founders/investors want liquidity?
Outputs
- Sell/IPO execution
- Spinout wave
- Parent dissolution or absorption
Strategy 2: Polycarpic (Perpetual Reproduction)
Reproduce continuously. Parent survives. Multiple offspring over time.
Questions to Ask
- Does parent have strong moats in stable industry?
- Can you project 20-30 years of continued profits?
- Is goal perpetual mission funding, not single exit?
- Do you want to spread bets across time?
Outputs
- Annual profit allocation to mission
- Regular new business launches
- Continuous acquisitions
Strategy 3: Hybrid (Sequential with Reinvention)
Multiple reproductive cycles, parent reinvents between cycles.
Questions to Ask
- Does industry have 10-15 year technology cycles?
- Does parent have durable brand that survives transitions?
- Can engineering talent and customer relationships pivot?
- Is goal multi-generational legacy?
Outputs
- S-curve transition planning
- 60/40 resource allocation (current/next)
- 5-7 year reinvention cycles