Course Description
This course is intended for students who are interested in learning about what it takes to start a new entrepreneurial business in an AI-native world. It is a tactical and hands-on class that covers the nuts and bolts of starting a company. Course material is organized around the milestones and phases that entrepreneurs must complete in pursuit of building their business. Students will learn how to raise capital, compensate for limited human and financial resources, secure a strong niche position, determine appropriate sourcing and sales channels, and develop execution plans in sales, marketing, and product development. The course also covers the human side of startups including, cofounder dynamics, how to think about equity splits, entrepreneurial resilience, and the entrepreneurial mindset. The emphasis is managerial and entrepreneurial, essentially a working model for starting a business.
Paralleling the course content is the YourCo assignment in which teams of four to five students simulate building a new venture through the first 18 months of the life of a startup. The majority of the course content focuses on the execution of building a new venture: the early launch, proof-of-concept, and traction phases of a new venture. Please note that this course does not focus on the ideation stage as students are expected to come to Class 1 with a startup idea or join a team with an idea. At the beginning of the class and as part of the YourCo exercise, teams describe a product or service they would like to bring to market and throughout the quarter, students explore the critical activities required to engage customers, build their product or service, and grow teams. Each week, teams have specific written deliverables for their "company" based on the course material. The course content and structure is applicable to all types of businesses, whether B2B, B2C or deep technology based on fundamental scientific research. YourCo projects range from software and digital solutions, to consumer products, to services, to industrial applications and beyond.
AI is fundamentally changing how ventures are built, enabling founders and teams to move faster, test ideas more efficiently, and build products with fewer resources. As such, the use of AI tools is encouraged throughout this course. As part of the YourCo assignment and class discussions, students will explore how AI can be used to accelerate customer discovery, refine positioning and messaging, develop investor pitch materials, and support decision-making. Please note that students are expected to use AI responsibly and thoughtfully, applying their own judgment, critical thinking, and domain insight when evaluating and refining AI-generated outputs.
Students will have the unique opportunity to engage with distinguished guest entrepreneurs and investors who will share their firsthand experiences in building and scaling businesses. These guest speakers bring real-world insights, offering perspectives that complement and enrich the course material. By interacting with successful founders and industry leaders, students will gain a deeper understanding of the challenges, opportunities, and decision-making processes that shape entrepreneurial ventures. These sessions provide a rare chance to ask questions, seek mentorship, and build connections with seasoned professionals. Historically, students have found this component of the course to be immensely valuable, as it brings theoretical concepts to life in a way that no textbook or lecture alone can.
Students will also have the opportunity to practice the art of fundraising in a supportive environment designed for learning and growth. Students will refine their storytelling, articulate their value proposition, and present their venture to investors and experienced entrepreneurs, receiving direct feedback on both their business model and their pitch delivery.
Through class lectures, YourCo assignments, real-world cases, and guest fireside chats, the course covers the multidimensional aspects of entrepreneurship as both a mindset and a process that can be practiced and improved.
NOTE: WEEK 1 CLASS ATTENDANCE IS MANDATORY. IF YOU ARE CONSIDERING ADDING THE COURSE BUT DO NOT YET HAVE A SEAT, YOU MUST ATTEND THE FIRST CLASS IN ORDER TO REGISTER DURING DROP/ADD. PLEASE EMAIL ME IF YOU AREN’T YET REGISTERED BUT WANT TO ATTEND CLASS 1.
