Management of Technology Ventures is focused on developing an understanding of the issues and techniques for growing emerging technology companies. This distinguishes the course from those which focus on business plan writing and the actual formation of a venture. The course takes participants through a range of issues faced by management in building a new enterprise. These include product and market strategy, venture financing and cash flow management, culture and team building, innovation and creativity, real-time decision making, and the overall challenges of managing growth and handling adversity.
The intellectual basis for E140A is grounded in the “V-I-E” framework from Collins and Lazier’s Managing the Small to Mid-Sized Company textbook, which is contained in the course reader. As shown in the Course Calendar, various sessions focus on key strategic decisions described by Collins and Lazier as product, market, cash flow management, and organizational development. “Entrepreneurial Leadership” cases provide special opportunities to integrate the material. Additional models and analysis tools are introduced throughout the quarter to highlight particular aspects of technology entrepreneurship. For example, the course includes Geoff Moore’s “chasm” model on the technology adoption life cycle and marketing in young companies.
The course sessions are presented in a sequence somewhat consistent with the key strategic decision areas outlined in Collins and Lazier. After an initial overview of entrepreneurship, the course examines product and market strategies, finance and cash flow management, and issues related to organization design and entrepreneurial leadership.
Several methods of instruction are utilized: lectures, case discussions, workshops, group projects, and guest presentations. The core concepts and discussions are presented in the main sessions, which are led by the instructor. Some of the case discussions are assisted by a guest who brings special knowledge to the time period of that particular case or who brings professional expertise to the body of knowledge under discussion. See the Course Calendar for detailed information on each session.
This course incorporates both individual and group efforts. Students form study groups early in the quarter and meet regularly to prepare for class discussion. Each group will be required to present a case opening for two of the cases during the term. Email assignments are submitted individually or as a team, and group discussion is encouraged even for individual assignments.
In addition, a group term project and in-class presentation is required.
Finally, a web-based learning portfolio called the MFP Forum reflecting each student’s personal takeaways from E140A and MS&E472 is required.
There are no prerequisites. A working knowledge of accounting is helpful — typically gained by taking MS&E140 or Econ 90 beforehand (or simultaneously). In addition, knowledge of organizational behavior (e.g., MS&E180) could prove useful. Students from E145 and MS&E472 (or similar courses) will have the benefit of previous instruction in entrepreneurship.
All students requesting admission to E140A must be previously selected Mayfield Fellows. Please see the MFP site for more information. Sorry, no auditors can be accommodated in E140A.
| 50%: Active Participation | Participation in classroom discussion, whether about the case under consideration or about the topic of the lecture is critical. Participation in your study groups and the quality of your group’s Case Openings (10% each), as well as the quality of email assignments and other on-line contributions will also contribute to this part of your grade. |
| 25%: Term Project | Completion of the term project assignment with a project group. Both a written report and in-class presentation are required. See the Term Project Assignment page for additional details. |
| 25%: MFP Forum | See the MFP Forum page for more information |
The grading of classroom participation is difficult because of an element of subjectivity not present in grading written assignments. Nevertheless, it is a vital part of the course. Most students feel comfortable in speaking up with thoughtful comments and questions, but some do not, and we wish to be fair to everyone. We will not be grading on “air time”, but rather on the quality of the question or comment.
All assigned readings are to be completed before the session — see the E140A Course Calendar for assigned readings.
You are encouraged to discuss each case in advance with your fellow students. In fact, you are required to form a study group consisting of two other students and then meet regularly before each class. These study groups must be formed by the end of Session #3. Use the Study Questions for each session while meeting with your study partners to prepare for class. They are not to be included in the e-mail assignment. Guidelines for the completion of e-mail assignments are below.
There are no rights or wrongs in entrepreneurship, only choices. Some pitfalls can be avoided and there are ways of optimizing the probability of success. Participating in classroom discussions, freely and without fear, is strongly urged. No opinion is held in disregard and only through active discussion can we arrive at some sense of reasonable action. As moderators, our role is to keep this effort moving toward a logical conclusion or decision. Carefully read the first chapter in the Collins & Lazier readings for guidance. Also, see this link on case analysis at Case Method by Gibbons.
During the course of the term, each study group will be required to present two case openings to facilitate the discussion for particular sessions. Each case opening should consist of
In addition, case openings should make use of the eCorner video clips. The total length of the case opening should be no more than 10 minutes (strictly enforced). If your group makes use of overhead slides or other presentation material, you should limit yourself to just a few items. Case openings should emphasize the frameworks and models covered in class and should be in the same spirit as other presentations made by the teaching team. You should email the teaching team a copy of any slides. By the following Monday after the opening, the team will receive a short email with feedback from the teaching team. The grade for the openings will fall into three categories: (1) exceeds expectations, (2) meets expectations, and (3) needs improvement.
Assignments are to be written individually or as a team, as specified by each specific assignment, and should be posted to the MFP Forum under the assignment topic for the relevant session. Even when the writeup for an assignment is individual, you may discuss your content explicitly with your study partners.
In general, use a bullet-point format and keep the submission short and concise (less than one page). Assignments must be posted no later than 9AM on the day of the corresponding session (see E140A homework policy page for more information). The teaching team reads each response before class starts to optimize that session’s learning environment. Grading is on a “check plus(+)/minus(-)” basis and only students receiving “minus (-)” scores are notified by email.
Since assignments are posted to a common forum, it is important to formulate your own opinion and to post your submission before reading others’ entries. That said, once you’ve posted your submission, you are strongly encouraged to review your classmates’ postings. Common errors to avoid include: