Entrepreneurship

The first course of a two-course sequence that provides students with the knowledge and framework to bring their business ideas forward, and establish a viable commercial endeavor. Part I introduces students to entrepreneurial principles and models that allow them to begin creating a blueprint for their business concept. They will learn foundational management principles, market identification strategies, financing options, and concept assessment. Students also learn: frameworks to conduct market research and product research; executive business summaries, and techniques for successfully presenting the business concept; how to use quantitative and qualitative tools to determine whether a good idea is truly a good, real-world, and valuable market opportunity; and ways to improve presentation skills.Part I also provides a forum for students to present and defend students' own recommendations, and for critically examining and discussing the recommendations of others.

This course further examines the business concepts identified in Navigating the Startup Enterprise, Part I. Students will flesh out their ideas into a workable business model, and will undertake a comprehensive risk analysis in order to identify potential financial and operational issues that may impact their startup. Students will work to address these issues, and solve any problems, so they can develop business plans that are ready to be successfully executed.

This course focuses on the role of sales and marketing within an applied setting. It introduces foundational marketing principles and innovative practices to new entrepreneurs before exploring the logistical requirements needed to build and manage a sales force. Students are able to build their "startup sales and marketing tool kit" in order to further grow their business. By the end of the course, you will know how to create and deliver a professional sales pitch and presentation.

This course covers startup fundamentals, and is for students looking to build a scalable business with a need to learn the basic language of finance. In addition to learning the fundamentals of accounting and finance, this course will include the following topics: developing financial plans, setting up an accounting system, incorporating, recruiting, fundraising, and negotiating with investors. You will also learn to understand and construct, balance sheets, income and cash flow statements; do research to find equivalencies; understand the function and value of incorporation; use and create recruitment tools; and understand the ins and outs of fundraising and negotiating.

This course focuses on the essential operations needed to successfully manage an entrepreneurial enterprise. Students will learn to integrate strategy, marketing, human resources, finance and production, in order to maintain a viable business. The course will deepen an understanding of the risks and critical success factors, found in operating entrepreneurial endeavors and will explore the issues faced by budding startups within a real-world context.You will also learn to understand the tools required to be an effective operations manager; explore the role of firm management within an applied setting; research the different funding sources, discuss advantages and disadvantages, and look at available financing options in different phases of an entrepreneurial business operation; and explain the "control chain" mode of operation.