COURSE NUMBER: MBA295C.1

This course is cross-listed with the College of Engineering

COURSE TITLE: Opportunity Recognition: Technology and Entrepreneurship in Silicon Valley

UNITS OF CREDIT: 3

INSTRUCTOR: Drew Isaacs

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

CLASS WEB PAGE LOCATION: http://bspace.berkeley.edu

MEETING DAY(S)/TIME: Monday and Wednesday 4:00 - 5:30 PM

PREREQUISITE(S): None

CLASS FORMAT: Lecture/discussion/seminar

REQUIRED READINGS: Extensive readings and cases

BASIS FOR FINAL GRADE:

Case preparation, class participation, one group project and paper, no exams.

ABSTRACT OF COURSE'S CONTENT AND OBJECTIVES:

This course is intended to provide the core skills needed for the identification of opportunities that can lead to successful, entrepreneurial high technology ventures, regardless of the individual's "home" skill set, whether technical or managerial. We examine in depth the approaches most likely to succeed for entrepreneurial companies as a function of markets and technologies. Emphasis is placed on the special requirements for creating and executing strategy in a setting of rapid technological change and limited resources. This course is open to MBA and Engineering students (who enroll through their respective colleges), and is particularly suited for those who anticipate founding or operating technology companies.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH:

Andrew Isaacs is Adjunct Professor and Programs Director of UC Berkeley's Management of Technology Program, a joint program of Berkeley's Haas School of Business and College of Engineering.  He served as Executive Director of the Management of Technology Program from 2000 – 2009.

Management of Technology is a graduate-level program offering 50 courses in management and high technology plus a wide range of programs that bring high tech companies to UC Berkeley.  Since its founding in 1987, the program has grown to be the largest inter-disciplinary program on the Berkeley campus, with approximately 1,500 graduate student enrollments annually.  Berkeley's Management of Technology Program is by far the largest of its type in the US.

Isaacs graduate courses at Berkeley currently include:

Opportunity Recognition:  Technology and Entrepreneurship in Silicon Valley ·  Energy, Sustainability and Business Innovation

Industry experience

Isaacs’ experience prior to joining UC Berkeley includes successful careers as an entrepreneur and executive in Silicon Valley and as a scientist at NASA’s Johnson Space Center.  He currently advises multinationals and start-ups in information technology and renewable energy, and advises the State of California on emerging energy technologies.