Title: Entrepreneurship for Computer Science
Units: 9
Pre-requisites: None
Description:
This course is designed to develop skills related to entrepreneurship for computer science students. It assumes no background in business and suggests a systematic approach to translating ideas into sustainable innovation-based enterprises. In particular, it focuses on: (1) generating ideas with business potentials, (2) testing leap-of-faith assumptions via theoretical market research and empirical product development, (3) experimenting with minimal viable products (MVPs) and measuring progress via actionable analytics, (4) pivoting or persevering strategies based on validated learning, (5) raising venture capital smartly, (6) scaling a venture into a sustainable company via effective and viral engines of growth, (6) managing the finance, accounting, and marketing aspects of a sustainable company, and (7) understanding exit policies, including initial public offering (IPO). The course comprises a balance of lectures, case studies, encounters with entrepreneurs, and meetings with investors. The students will be exposed to real-world perspectives on entrepreneurship, innovation, and leadership. By the end of the course, each student will develop and present a detailed business plan and an MVP for a startup.