ENTREP 495: Startup Launch
Quarter Offered
Spring: Offered, time tbd, Evanston
Prerequisites
None.
Description
Startup Launch is an experiential course that focuses on identifying, and reducing, the risks associated with successfully implementing your new venture. We will focus on verifying, or disproving, assumptions associated with various aspects of the startup including the customer, the product, and the business model. The course is designed for student teams (two or more people) that have identified a solid value proposition and an initial business model concept. Teams will use prototypes or Minimum Viable Product (MVP), as well as customer discovery methods to validate assumptions with target customers weekly. Each week, teams will create testing plans for the coming week and present findings from the previous week’s engagement with customers. Specific focus is paid to the de-risking process and development of productive team dynamics. Throughout the journey, student teams will present and defend their progress and engage in mentoring sessions with seasoned entrepreneurs. At the end of the course, teams will have refined their business models and developed the skills and habits necessary to reduce risk and take their startup to the next level.
Teams with previous NUvention class experience or work experience through The Garage are encouraged to participate.
Apply
Applications for the Spring 2023 offering of this course are closed. Questions about the application can be sent to farley@northwestern.edu.
Faculty
Course Details
Requirements that this course satisfies: Serves as core experiential course for the undergraduate and graduate minors in entrepreneurship.
Duration: 3 hours, once per week; 1 quarter
Class size: 30 students
Course number: ENTREP 495
Application: Applications are required for this course.
Who Should Enroll
This application-based class is designed for teams with the beginnings of a business plan and want to take their idea to the next level. Students who have taken a NUvention class, been engaged at The Garage, or made significant progress in validating a business concept through other means are encouraged to apply.
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