This course provides a learning experience that simulates the process of starting a high-tech company. Students work in teams on a business plan for a start-up and present to a panel of experienced Venture Capitalists. Course instructors, experts themselves in new venture creation, present the key issues involved in evaluating market opportunities, designing profitable business models, producing a solid business plan, raising capital, addressing legal considerations and developing a winning team. The class is limited to Graduate students only.
Course Description
This course focuses on how technology ventures are created. The key factors of start-up formulation are identified and evaluated through lectures and case studies that provide real-life opportunities for analysis, planning, and decision-making. The course brings in many successful entrepreneurs as guests. The strength of the course derives from intense study, preparation, and participation by those students with a strong interest in this subject.
A primary objective of the course is to identify the basic decisions that an entrepreneur faces. These include management and technology selection, product and process design, R&D investment, market analysis, marketing mix, positioning, product launch timing, financing, team development, and general management of operations.
The course is organized to reflect the steps required when starting a company. Concept generation and opportunity evaluation, financial and legal issues, team formation, and leadership are treated through both detailed analysis of specific cases and discussion of specific skills.
Most of the written and 'living' cases are integrative. They provide examples of good or poor fits in critical segments of technology ventures and startup strategies. Distinguished guests further enhance learning by sharing first-hand experience on new enterprise analysis and strategic thinking.
The course has no midterm or final exam. Instead, a technology-related written Business Plan and corresponding oral presentation are required. Teams of four join together (MBA and Engineering Students) to propose creation of a venture whose product idea comes from either personal creativity or one associated with an existing company. The 'product' can be a product, service, or hybrid of the two. A key requirement is its potential for high growth. The proposed venture must require third party funding or investment. Note that venture capital is not a requirement for your business; other forms of third-party financing are just as acceptable.
Source: http://www.stanford.edu/class/msande273/overview.html |
