COURSE NUMBER: EWMBA295A.1

 

COURSE TITLE: Entrepreneurship

 

UNITS OF CREDIT: 3 Units

 

INSTRUCTOR:  Kurt Beyer

 

E-MAIL ADDRESS: kurt_beyer@haas.berkeley.edu

 

CLASS WEB PAGE LOCATION: https://bspace.berkeley.edu/portal

 

MEETING DAY(S)/TIME: Monday, 6:00pm-9:30pm

 

PREREQUISITE(S): EWMBA Core

 

CLASS FORMAT: Innovation theory, entrepreneurship best practices, and case-based learning with frequent guest speakers and lectures.

 

REQUIRED READINGS: Course Packet; no textbook

 

BASIS FOR FINAL GRADE: Because the course focuses discussion driven by class readings and case studies, a substantial portion of the grade will be class participation.  The process of idea formulation and validation individually and within a group will also constitute part of the grade.

 

ABSTRACT OF COURSE'S CONTENT AND OBJECTIVES:

The course is designed for students who are committed to starting a new venture as well as those who want a better understanding the tools, techniques, and theory behind this dynamic business process.   The course focuses on the entrepreneur as a leader and manager of change, and believes that the entrepreneurial process can be learned much like any other profession.  The pedagogy in the course includes case studies, readings that highlight the theory of innovation and best practices, and classroom discussion.   Class theory and practice will be supported by visits from some of the most successful local entrepreneurs and alumni, taking full advantage of Berkeley's unique proximity to San Francisco and Silicon Valley.  In addition to conveying frameworks for opportunity identification, business model development, raising financing, building founding teams, and growing nascent ventures, one of the major objectives of this course is to model the work life of a variety of entrepreneurs so that you will have the chance to personally reflect on your desire to pursue this type of career. You should come to class every day prepared to think and act like an entrepreneur. Entrepreneurs have a bias to take action, and this course is intended to help you develop this attitude.

 

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH:

Dr. Kurt Beyer teaches Entrepreneurship and Innovation to UC Berkeley Haas School of Business for MBAs, undergraduates, and grad students from other Berkeley departments. As part of The Lester Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, MBA 295A, EWMBA 295A, and UGBA 195A have launched many successful Silicon Valley start-ups that began as semester projects in these classes.

Kurt is also an adviser to entrepreneurs and start-ups through Morgan Stanley. He has served as a CEO of his own startup and currently works with Yelp, Marin Software, Incredible Labs, and Socialwire.  Kurt is the author of the critically acclaimed Grace Hopper and the Invention of the Information Age, published by MIT Press in 2010, which highlights the rise of the computer industry through the career of Grace Hopper, the woman responsible for the development of computer programming.  Grace Hopper was selected as a Top 10 Science/Technology book for 2010/2011.

 

Kurt received his Ph.D. from the University of California-Berkeley, MasterŐs degree from Oxford University in England, and attended the U.S. Naval Academy as an undergraduate.  After graduating the U.S. Naval Academy Kurt flew F-14 Tomcats for the Navy and received the Navy Commendation Medal and National Defense Medal for his service.