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 - 3:30 PM) on the second Friday of each month. The nine-session series begins in September 2012 and continues through June 2013, 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 $749. Participants will receive a Certificate in Entrepreneurship from the Institute for Innovation & Entrepreneurship at UT Dallas after completing the nine sessions.

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 professionals 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, Jackie Kimzey 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 inspired me to create value for my clients in new and different ways. In addition to a top academic faculty, more than 15 entrepreneurs shared their experiences in building successful companies. The opportunity to network and share perspectives with fellow entrepreneurs was an added plus".

Gil Zafra, CEO

AdVix Marketing Imagination

“Although I had extensive marketing experience, I was struggling with the challenges of launching my own firm. The Entrepreneurial Development Series provided me with first class instruction and the opportunity to interact with successful entrepreneurs and industry experts." 

Ivan Leon
Kerux Communications Group

"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 every day. This is a mandatory course for anyone who is interested in starting a business in the future."

David Choe, CEO

MobileKash, Inc.

“UTD’s Entrepreneurial Development Series addresses the full range of skills every entrepreneur must know to survive.  Even though I’ve started five businesses, I was amazed at how much I learned.” 

Steven Thrasher, MBA, JD

Thrasher Associates, Stirling Group, Tree Top Bird Centers, White Nile Software, Proxomo Software

“The Entrepreneurial Development Series was a real eye-opener for me. Throughout the program, successful entrepreneurs inspired with their personal success stories and investors, lawyers and marketing consultants shared their expertise and pointed out the pitfalls. I would recommend the series to anyone”.

Mark O'Hare
Hitachi

“The UT Dallas Entrepreneurial Development Series was outstanding. I would not have successfully launched my new business without the skills and knowledge I gained from this program.”  

Willam Boren
Online Video Solutions