Time Schedule:
Erik Stenehjem
ENTRE 531
Seattle Campus
Focuses on the commercialization of emerging technologies. Topics include conducting feasibility assessments of intellectual property landscape, evaluating business opportunities, analyzing competition, developing business models and strategies, constructing a professional quality business plan, and presenting business plan, transforming a new technology into a market-ready technology-based business. Offered: W.
Class description
Course Description: This course is intended to appeal to aspiring technology entrepreneurs who are interested in how to find, protect, develop and take to market potentially disruptive technology-based products. We will explore this subject in depth using real technologies and a series of guest lecturers. While there will be assigned readings and cases, it is expected that much of the learning will come through interaction with guests who can help guide your understanding of the concepts involved.
The major components of the course will include these subjects: • Entrepreneurs: Are there identifiable & shared characteristics? • Disruptive technologies: how to find and evaluate them • Intellectual Property: IP protection, licensing and diligence • Business model: Presenting the innovation, the manner in which you intend to disrupt markets, and the approach you intend to use to obtain capital and the other resources you need for success. • Convincing others: Presenting your model to a panel of experts
A major component of the learning experience will involve working in teams to select from available technologies (or your own ideas) and to develop a business model around either based on your assessment of their ability to disrupt markets and create significant value. Two exercises are anticipated. First, you will conduct a pre-screening analysis to guide your thinking through the process of determining the opportunity, the resources needed and the risks to be confronted and mitigated. The second task will be to complete and defend your business model and strategies for, and the structure of, your new venture.
Student learning goals
General method of instruction
Expectations: Class expectations are that you: • Actively engage in class discussion. • Prepare all required class assignments and be fully prepared, if called upon, to summarize them and present your views of the material to the class.
Recommended preparation
Course Materials: Required: Course Pack with selected readings and case studies
Optional: • Christensen, Clayton and Michael Raynor, The Innovator’s Solution, Harvard Business School Press, 2003.
Class assignments and grading
Course Requirements: • You will be expected to break into teams to develop ideas for disruptive (or nearly disruptive) technology-based products. • As teams, you may be called upon to present your “elevator pitch” (five minutes) explaining your technology-based product and business model. • Also, as teams, all class members will turn in a six–page report describing their expanded business models and business strategies for these products. • Finally, in lieu of a “final”, you will be assigned a case to analyze. Your written answers to the questions concerning the case will be turned in during finals week.
Grading: Grades will be based on the following: • Project • Team……………………………………50% • Individual…………………………….10% • Case exercise………………………………...20% • Class participation………………………….20%
