This course is for students interested in learning about the creation of new ventures and entrepreneurship in engineering and science intensive industries such as chemical, energy, materials, bioengineering, environmental, clean-tech, pharmaceuticals, medical and biotechnology. Students will gain a good sense of the excitement, complexity, and challenges that define creating new businesses, whether within an existing organization or in a startup environment.  The focus is on new ventures that require long development times, large investments, integration across a wide range of technical and non-technical disciplines, and the creation and protection of intellectual property. Teaching methods will include lectures, case studies, guest speakers and individual and team projects.

Topics Include

  • Business basics
  • Evaluating venture viability
  • Creating new start-ups
  • Challenges and opportunities in established organizations
  • Leadership of new ventures
  • Team dynamics
  • Entrepreneurship as a career