This course focuses on the core principles of innovation-related entrepreneurship, and the processes involved with developing new ventures. The entrepreneur’s function in a start-up company or existing enterprise is examined. Topics include: a) recognition and quantification of market opportunity, b) integration of creativity and innovation with problem-solving and opportunity-recognition related to new products, c) assessment of risk associated with market position, d) the relationship of networking and perseverance, e) the role of venture capital or angel investors, and f) the different stages of ventures related to innovation and entrepreneurship.
This course focuses on the core principles that comprise the formal creative process wherein innovators and entrepreneurs diagnose problems and determine opportunities for a given market, recognize a deliverable product opportunity, and then propose an innovative and creative solution to meet potential demand. Topics include: a) the formal market-mapping process, b) developing a competitive matrix for any market, c) formalizing the specific stages of the creative process, business models, and quantifiable outcomes, d) product feasibility studies, and e) pro forma forecasting and sensitivity analysis given various assumptions.
This course focuses on the development of a comprehensive business plan, executive summary, and slide presentation for an emerging or existing enterprise. Topics include: a) the eight facets of new ventures, b) the competitive matrix, c) the uses of funds schedule, d) pro forma cash flow and innovation or venture potential, e) investor capitalization sheets and legal formation, f) the business model for the product or service, g) the format and targeted uses for an Executive Summary, h) the business plan slide presentation (the pitch), and i) the format for attendees at public and private forums.
Topics are selected on basis of student need and academic qualifications of staff. If regular lectures are not given, a minimum of 30 hours of work for each hour credit must be included. Laboratory may or may not be included. This course may be repeated for credit.
This course focuses on the core principles of economics, with an emphasis on the specific terminology, models, and concepts describing the micro-economic entity of the firm. It will also integrate the core tenets that drive the American market system of free enterprise. Topics will include: a) producer supply, buyer demand, and the four market structures of monopoly, oligopoly, monopolistic competition, and commodity-based perfect competition; b) marginal analysis of revenue, costs, profits, and productivity; and c) integrating pricing, revenue, and margins into decision making for the emerging entrepreneurial venture.
This course focuses on the core principles that comprise the formal creative process wherein innovators and entrepreneurs diagnose problems and determine opportunities for a given market, recognize a deliverable product opportunity, and then propose an innovative and creative solution to meet potential demand. Topics include: a) the formal market-mapping, b) developing a competitive matrix for any market, c) formalizing the specific stages of the creative process, business models, and quantifiable outcomes, d) product feasibility studies, and e) pro forma forecasting and sensitivity analysis given various assumptions.
This course focuses on the entrepreneur’s development of a comprehensive business plan, executive summary (XSumm), and slide presentation for a start-up or emerging growth venture. Topics include: a) the common 8 Facets of New Ventures, b) the competitive matrix, c) the Uses of Funds schedule, d) pro forma cash flows and venture potential, e) investor capitalization sheets and venture legal formation, f) the Business Model for the product-service, g) the format and targeted uses for an Executive Summary (XSumm), h) the business plan slide presentation (the pitch), and i) the format and attendees at public and private venture forums.
This course focuses on bringing together and integrating all facets of the program into a comprehensive entrepreneurial experience where students consult to a Houston-area entrepreneur/founding team on the complete new venture development process. This experience provides a working lab within which the full complement of the MSME courses come together in a formal, systematic manner. Topics include: a) comparisons-contrasts of the consulting venture and the student’s own proposed new venture, b) engaging in high-level dialogue with an entrepreneur/business owner across a wide range of pros and cons related to all facets of the venture development process, and c) recognizing various opportunities for strong ethics/morals throughout the many levels of entrepreneurial leadership in the firm.
