Entrepreneurship & Venture Initiation

This 3-unit course, taught by a professor from Anderson School of Management, focuses on important aspects of starting a new business enterprise with emphasis on the challenges faced by an entrepreneur (or group of entrepreneurs) in initiating and financing a business venture and directing its early development. The course objective is to familiarize students with tools required for entrepreneurship as (1) an entrepreneur, (2) an early stage investor or (3) service provider to entrepreneurs and early stage investors. Particular attention is paid to the process of forming a business venture, the identification and evaluation of new venture opportunities, the legal structure and organization of a new business, new venture financing, team building, sales and the development of an appropriate entry strategy. As part of the course, students will work in teams and create a business plan for a new venture and make a presentation for the team’s new venture.

It is highly recommended that students have previously taken two foundational courses for the Business Law Specialization, Law 234 (Accounting for Lawyers) and Law 358 (Financial Analysis), or have waived out of them. Assessment includes case assignments, mid-term exam, development of a business plan and presentation of the plan to a pair of outside investors.