Course Detail

This course provides a systematic and practical framework for the development of new high-technology ventures, with a particular focus on strategy and marketing.  The course uses a combination of “live” case analyses with leading industry guests, hands-on real-world tasks, and in-class discussions and demonstrations of useful conceptual frameworks.  Topics that are covered include identifying and evaluating opportunities in the evolving environment (new venture ideation), developing go-to-market strategies and overcoming adoption obstacles, developing a business plan (including key marketing mix elements like pricing, versioning, promotion, distribution), and creating an effective presentation to raise capital.  Teams of 3-5 students each will work intensively to identify, develop, and pitch a new high-technology venture.  The ultimate objective is for the students to launch their own new venture.  In the final class session, students present their new venture to a panel of leading venture capitalists.

Additional Information:

• 36 student limit
• 2ND year MBA and 3rd term and above EMBA students
• Teams (3-5 students) will be formed in the class for the new venture project
• Attendance of first class is mandatory
• Permission of professor required to bid on this Master Class – apply via email to ch2133@columbia.edu with the following (must be received by 12pm (noon) on Friday, October 31, 2008) 

1. CV
2. A one page description of your proposed new venture
3. Indicate program (MBA or EMBA)