Entrepreneurial Management and Finance

For graduate students only with a preference for engineering and science majors. Emphasis on managing high-growth, early-stage ventures, especially those with technology-intensive products and services. Students work in teams to develop skills and approaches necessary to becoming effective entrepreneurial leaders and managers. Key topics involve ethical decision-making when assessing risks, understanding business models, analyzing key operational metrics, modeling cash flow and capital requirements, evaluating sources of financing, structuring and negotiating investments, managing organizational culture and incentives, navigating the trade-offs between control versus growth objectives, and handling adversity and failure. Limited enrollment with admission by an application available on Canvas and due after the first class session. Prerequisite: a college-level financial accounting course (e.g. MS&E 240) or equivalent.