Entrepreneurial Development Series

 

The entrepreneurial development series is a practitioner-oriented program of education and skill development designed for entrepreneurs, aspiring entrepreneurs, key employees in entrepreneurial firms, and managers in established firms seeking new growth opportunities through innovation and entrepreneurship.

The series is presented by the Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at UT Dallas in full-day sessions (8:30 AM - 3:00 PM) on the second Friday of each month. The nine-session series begins in September 2009 and continues through June 2010, with the exception of December. The series will be repeated annually.

About the Program...

Advance registration is required. Individual sessions are offered at $95, including breakfast, lunch and all program materials. Participants may register for individual sessions or at a discounted rate for the entire series. The cost for the entire series of nine sessions is $795. Participants who attend at least seven of the nine sessions will receive a Certificate in Entrepreneurship from the Institute for Innovation & Entrepreneurship at UT Dallas.

Each module of the Entrepreneurial Development Series is designed to address an important aspect of entrepreneurship, presenting an in-depth look at a single topic area. The series of nine modules has been designed to provide participants with a comprehensive understanding of the entire entrepreneurial process - what it takes to manage an entrepreneurial startup from conception to a successful exit.

Program Structure...

Each session will be led by experienced and knowledgeable professions selected for their subject matter expertise. Each will incorporate an appropriate mix of theory, practice, real-world examples and interactive discussion. UT Dallas faculty, including Dr. Joseph Picken, Dr. Rajiv Shah and Robert Robb, Associate Vice President for Technology Commercialization, will each lead one or more sessions. These faculty members each bring solid academic credentials and a wealth of industry experience in biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, software, electronics, office equipment, information and communications technologies, manufacturing, aviation services, equipment leasing and other arenas.

More than two dozen outside speakers and panelists are featured in the series. Prominent venture capitalists will conduct sessions on their industry; attorneys from major law firms and CPAs will address legal, regulatory, intellectual property and accounting issues; experts on negotiation and public relations will also be featured. Angel investors and ETF/SBIR/SBIC experts will discuss alternative sources of financing. Entrepreneurial CEOs will address a variety of topics, including opportunity evaluation, entrepreneurial marketing, product development, team-building, bootstrap financing, risk management and entrepreneurial leadership.

Panel discussions featuring successful CEOs, entrepreneurs, professional investors and service providers have been designed to address topics from multiple perspectives. Serial entrepreneurs will describe their experiences in avoiding the pitfalls and building successful companies.

Comments from Participants...

"I really enjoyed each of the nine sessions of the Entrepreneurial Development Series at UT Dallas. The program complemented my MBA degree, enhanced my technical and managerial skills, and inspired me to create value for my clients in new and different ways. In addition to a top academic faculty, the program offered the opportunity to learn from and interact with more than 15 entrepreneurs who shared their experiences in building successful companies. The opportunity to network and share perspectives with the fellow entrepreneurs who attended the sessions was an added plus".

-Gil Zafra, CEO
 AdVix Marketing Imagination

"The entrepreneurship development series lectures were a real eye-opener for me, it really gave like-minded people the opportunity to meet and discuss ideas and network. Throughout the program, subject matter experts such as investors, lawyers, marketing consultants were invited to speak and respond to questions, a fantastic opportunity to hear an otherwise expensive opinion. Successful entrepreneurs inspired with their personal success stories and helped point out the pitfalls ahead. I thoroughly enjoyed the series and would recommend it to anyone".

-Mark O'Hare

"I should have attended the Entrepreneurial Development Series before I started my company. All the topics addressed in this workshop reflect the real issues I face everyday. This is a mandatory course for anyone who is interested in starting a business in the future."

-David Choe, President & CEO.

 MobileKash, Inc.

 

"What a series! An excellent course - packed full with practical, applicable information delivered by real world entrepreneurs in a comfortable and open forum. This course has enhanced my 20+ years of experience as an entrepreneur. I would recommend the series to anyone seeking to start a business or ready to take their company to the next level."

-Dirk Moser, Founder and Chief Marketing Officer

 Benefit Electric L.L.C.

"The Entrepreneurial Development Series provided the content and references I needed to complete our internal entrepreneurial program. The professors and guest lecturers were on target, every lecture hour was worthwhile.  Their description of future entrepreneurial business models was crisp and to the point." 

-Thomas L. Hill / SE, EDS Fellow

 EDS Global Service Delivery