FALL
2007 HONORS COURSES
HONR 298Y Entrepreneurship, Innovation,
and Technology Ventures
Tuesday, 3:30-6:00 p.m.
Sarah Djamshidi, Maryland Technology Enterprise Institute
Entrepreneurial activity, which is higher
in the U.S. than Europe, has become important to the growth of the economy,
the job market and the expansion of existing firms. This multi-disciplinary
course helps students learn the principals of entrepreneurship, and
the fundamentals of successful technology ventures. It will also provide
a theoretical foundation for understanding the process of entrepreneurship,
in addition to providing the opportunity to apply ideas and develop
useful analytical skills.
Course Goals:
1. To learn the principals of entrepreneurial opportunity analysis and
decision making
2. To grasp the importance of entrepreneurship, innovation in the 21st
century
3. To learn how to become an entrepreneur and to gain an entrepreneurial
perspective
4. To understand the elements of a successful business idea and understand
how innovation and competitive advantage contributes value to the new
venture products and services
5. Identify resources to help further the development of entrepreneurial
ideas
Key Topics:
- Key definitions
- Emerging Trends and revolutionary impact of technology entrepreneurship
- Entrepreneurship in organizations
- The entrepreneurial perspective, creativity, and the innovation process
- Assessment of entrepreneurial opportunities for technology ventures
- Environmental assessment and market research for technology ventures
- Financial preparations for technology ventures; valuations
- Sources of capital for funding for technology ventures
- Legal issues: structuring new technology ventures, intellectual property
and employment
- Growth and the development of new technology ventures
Assignments will likely include, but not
limited to, the following:
- “Are you an entrepreneur?” Exercise: Personal goals and interest identification
exercise
- Analysis of current trends in innovation and entrepreneurship
- Using market research tools and methodologies, analyze the market
dynamics for a new venture
- Funding and financing strategies for a new ventureA Analysis of a
public company by examining:
- The financial statements
- Their response to market demand and market dynamics
- Their competitive strategies
- Sales and Marketing plans and tactics
- Formulating growth strategy recommendations for the company extensively
evaluated throughout the semester
Grading based the following:
- Class participation
- Individual and team assignments
- Class Project and term paper
- Team project presentations
- Tentative: competition of online simulation exercises
Course Texts
- Kuratko and Hodgetts. Entrepreneurship (with Info Trac), 7th Edition
ISBN : 0324323417
Online business simulations will also be used.
