BDIC 397A: Introduction to Entrepreneurship

Where & When: Tuesdays 5:30-7:30pm, Location: E Lab II. 
(Join us after class at Rafters at 7:30 pm for our weekly social and networking session. Note: Rafter's is for ALL AGES.)

Class Mentors: Bob Hyers, Kwong Chan, Bob Lowry, Paul Silva

Instructor of Record: Dan Gordon

Student Assistant: Greg Guerman

Course Description: In this 1-credit course, students explore the entrepreneurial career path. Those with ideas will learn how to attract a team and turn ideas into reality. Those seeking ideas will be shown how to create and evaluate opportunities. Students will be encouraged to form real companies, but the course is also designed to impart leadership skills that will be useful in any profession.

Course Requirements

  • Attending class regularly.
  • Exam on reading: Getting Started as an Entrepreneur
  • Written executive summary

Executive Summary Writing And Submission

Required Course Reading

Getting Started as an Entrepreneur (available at Textbook Annex under BDIC397A)

Calendar of Events (5:30-7:30pm in E Lab II)

1/19 | 5:30 pm | E Lab II | Orientation & Kickoff Event - What is an entrepreneur? What does this class offer? Meet the EI team and former EI students.

1/26 Idea Creation & Evaluation (part I) - Don't have an idea?  Learn two ways to come up with great ideas.  Then we'll show you how to evaluate which idea(s) are worth exploring.
Guest Speakers: Bob Lowry, Paul Silva

Homework for 2/2: Draft your own elevator pitch describing the need, solution, and market opportunity in <100 words. Bring to class.  Be prepared to deliver it and discuss it with other students.  For sample elevator pitch click here.

2/2 Idea Creation & Evaluation (part II) - Some students will pitch their ideas to the rest of the class to solicit advice and recruit team members.

2/9 Marketing for Innovations - Learn how to identify, segment, and reach your target market (AKA "the people you hope will buy your stuff").  Learn how to answer THE marketing question: "How many dollars have this problem?"
Guest Speaker: Prof. Kwong Chan

2/16 NO CLASS, NO RAFTERS - Monday schedule followed

2/23 Startup Financials & Flavors of Capital - Learn about the fundamentals of financials, income statements, projections, and calculating investment needs for a startup.
Guest Speakers: Paul Silva   TEST ON GETTING STARTED AS AN ENTREPRENEUR.

3/2 Guest Speakers: Joe Bohan (Entrepreneur & EI Mentor), Brian Mullen (EI Alum), Hendalee Wilson (EI Alum)

3/9 Even Smart People Make Big Mistakes
Guest Speaker: Michael Vann (Entrepreneur & EI Mentor)

 3/16 NO CLASS, NO RAFTERS (Spring Break)

3/23 Speaking Investorese: Executive Summary - The key document to get your foot in the door with investors, bankers, and partners is the Executive Summary.  Learn how to write one here! 
Guest Speakers: Paul Silva

Homework: First draft of executive summary (Template | Sample: All inPlay) due 3/30 in class, bring 5 printed copies

3/30 Polishing Your Executive Summary - This class session is dedicated to helping each team improve their executive summary. 

Homework: Final draft of executive summary due 4/1 @ 9:00 am, submit here

4/6 Polishing Your Pitch - A detailed, interactive event aimed at helping improve all aspects of a live pitch to potential investors.

4/13 (4:30-7:30pm) UMass EI Exec. Sum. Competition - Our top five teams will compete for cash prizes awarded by a panel of real-world entrepreneurs, investors and bankers. Learn more about the competition, how to compete, and how to fulfill your executive summary submission requirement for the class.
Note: as this event runs late, the after-class social doesn't start until around 8:00 pm.

4/20 Guest Speaker: Joe Edelman (entrepreneur)

4/28 | 5:30-8:30 pm @ Marriot Center (10th floor of the Campus Center) | EI (10th Anniversary) Banquet.

Scott W. Killoh