Entrepreneurship and Innovation: Changing the World Via Venture Creation

"I've learned so much! The guest speakers were amazing. Different ventures, different styles, and so much inspiration."

- Daniel Fleischer, 2012

"The thing I liked the most was learning about the process of taking an idea and putting it into effect to solve real-world issues."

- Elan Plotkin, 2012

Course Description

Interested in creating new business or social enterprises that can help change the world? Then this is the course for you. This intensive course exposes students to entrepreneurship and innovation by guiding them through the new venture creation process as applied to student team-selected venture ideas.

Through interactive lectures, short case studies, visits from guest entrepreneurs, and structured activities, students explore the elements of the new venture planning process in a innovative modular format. Each module provides students with the knowledge and tools required to develop a comprehensive planning document for their team's venture idea. The five modules are as follows: 1) New Venture Planning Process; 2) Opportunity Identification and Strategy Formation; 3) Innovation Strategies and Product Development; 4) Leadership, Functional Organization & Operations; and 5) Financial Planning and Capital Acquisition. At each stage of venture plan development, students learn critical terms, apply tools that support research and decision making, and develop a deep understanding on how each major planning activity fits into formal venture creation.

Students work through a series of structured assignments that correspond with each phase of new venture planning. Students assess the industry and market appropriate for their venture ideas, form competitive strategies, develop new products and services, create sales and marketing strategies, and generate full financial statements. This course also allows its participants to hone critical professional skills including creative problem solving, communication and negotiation, project management, financial analysis, and collaborative leadership.

Participants are expected to bring laptops for this class.

Instructor(s)