This course provides an introduction to entrepreneurship with an emphasis on identifying, evaluating and developing new venture opportunities. Topics include opportunity identification and evaluation, start-up strategies, business valuation, business plan development, attracting stakeholders, financing the venture, managing the growing business and exit strategies. Case studies and guest lectures by entrepreneurs and venture capital partners provide a real-world perspective. The major deliverable of this course is an early stage feasibility analysis of a venture of the student's choosing. Prerequisites: AIM 6201 or consent of the instructor. (3-0) S

This course addresses the strategic and organizational issues confronted by firms in technology-intensive environments. The course reflects five broad themes: (1) managing firms in technology-intensive industries; (2) linking technology and business strategies; (3) using technology as a source of competitive advantage; (4) organizing firms to achieve these goals; and (5) implementing new technologies in organizations. Students will analyze actual situations in organizations and summarize their findings and recommendations in an in-depth term paper. Case studies and class participation are stressed. Prerequisites:AIM 6201 and OB 6301 or consent of the instructor (3-0) T

The course focuses on the challenges of growing a small company from early start-up to a professionally managed business as the entrepreneur struggles to maintain the entrepreneurial spirit of the firm while introducing the professional management disciplines essential to sustained and profitable growth. Topics include shaping and communicating the entrepreneur's vision, developing a viable business model, positioning products and services in a broader market, implementing business strategies, building an organization and infrastructure, molding the culture, developing and managing critical relationships with banks, suppliers and customers and managing growth with limited resources. The course makes extensive use of case studies and visiting lectures by entrepreneurs. Prerequisite:ENTP 6370 or consent of the instructor (3-0) Y

This advanced course in strategic management emphasizes business strategies appropriate for entrepreneurial firms. Within this framework, the course addresses the most recent approaches and perspectives on strategic management in rapidly changing environments. Topics include the formulation and evaluation of strategy in emerging industries, strategies for market entry and competition against established incumbents, the role of technology standards, the technology adoption life cycle model, theories of disruptive innovation, and the use of creative imitation, speed and agility to prevail over established competitors. Prerequisites: (a) ENTP 6370 and BPS 6310 or consent of the instructor (3-0) Y

This course addresses the marketing challenges facing the entrepreneurial firm, including the introduction and marketing of new products and services without the benefit of an established reputation, channel infrastructure or customer base. Topics include the development of marketing strategies, channel selection and design, product positioning, competitive pricing strategies, advertising and promotion, etc., all within the framework of the resource limitations inherent in an entrepreneurial start-up. Prerequisites: (a) MKT 6301 and ENTP 6370 or consent of the instructor (3-0) Y

Intrapreneurs are the entrepreneurs within established corporations who combine innovation, creativity and leadership to develop and launch new products, new product lines and new business units that grow revenues and profits from within. The course seeks to equip students with the skills and perspectives required to initiate new ventures and create viable businesses in dynamic and uncertain environments in the face of organizational inertia and other sources of resistance to innovation. Course topics include the elements of strategic analysis and positioning for competitive advantage in dynamic markets, and the structuring, utilization and mobilization of the internal resources of existing firms in the pursuit of growth and new market opportunities. Prerequisites: (a) AIM 6201and OB 6301 or consent of the instructor (3-0) T

This course is designed for students who desire to pursue the development of a comprehensive business plan for an entrepreneurial new business concept. The course will be structured in a workshop format consisting of lectures, developmental exercises and group presentations of the new business idea, researching, developing and refining the new business concept under the guidance of a faculty mentor. Enrollment will be limited to groups of students with a pre-approved new business idea. Prerequisite: ENTP 6370 and consent of the instructor. (3-0) R

This course will explore special topics of interest to students of innovation and entrepreneurship. The content will vary, exploring such topics as opportunities for innovation in biotechnology, information technology, nanotechnology and other fields. Extensive use of outside speakers, special readings and field and library research will be involved. Prerequisites: ENTP 6370 and consent of the instructor (3-0) Y

This course will provide students with the opportunity to earn course credit while gaining actual work experience in entrepreneurial firms. Student projects will be developed jointly by faculty and the entrepreneurial firm and made available to students as an opportunity to gain practical experience in start-up organizations. Evaluation will be based on a term paper or other major deliverable determined on a case-by-case basis. Prerequisites: ENTP 6370 and consent of the instructor (3-0) R

This course will cover the investment of capital in the equity of private companies to fund growth or in public companies to take them private. This includes the study of a broad spectrum of private equity investments, including early-to-later stage venture investing, investing in established private firms, buyouts, financial restructuring of distressed firms and private equity financing by public firms. This investment and finance specialization prepares students for careers with investors in private equity funds, private equity fund managers, issuers of private equity securities and other important participants in the private equity market such as commercial banks, investment banks and other investment advisors.