Dr. Michael S. Lehman
Room 1800 Posvar Hall
Phone: 412-648-7873
E-mail: mslehman@katz.pitt.edu
COURSE OVERVIEW
This course describes the entrepreneurial process, from developing a framework for analyzing prospective new ventures to examining typical problems encountered in the early life of new ventures, as well as exploring some potential areas for future entrepreneurial activity.
During the course you will participate in class discussions around case analyses for both live case studies and written case studies. You will concurrently develop (in teams of 4-5) your own business concept, feasibility analysis, funding presentation and business plan; the final presentation and plan should be suitable for submission to a funding source.
The objectives for the course are as follows:

Understanding the process of new venture formulation

Studying the characteristics of successful entrepreneurs

Process and structure of business plan development

Understanding sources and methods of financing new business ventures

Opportunities to apply functional skill (marketing, finance, accounting, etc.)

Networking in the Pittsburgh entrepreneurial community.
Experience-based learning will be a large component of this elective.
REQUIRED READINGS
Harvard Business Publishing (HBP) (purchased at http://cb.hbsp.harvard.edu/cb/access/7114774 and http://cb.hbsp.harvard.edu/cb/access/7298523 )
Lencioni, Patrick The Five Dysfunctions of a Team: A Leadership Fable. Jossey-Bass, 2002.
This book provides a ‘fly-on-the-wall’ look at the growth and development of the team leading a Silicon Valley technology start-up.
Entrepreneur Magazine ( www.entrepreneur.com
) or Fast Company ( www.fastcompany.com
)
These monthly magazines (print and online) provide information on recent start-ups, including the entrepreneurs behind the companies and the industries in which they operate. Please incorporate what you have learned from your readings in the class discussions.
UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH KATZ GRADUATE SCHOOL OF BUSINESS
BSEO 2531: Entrepreneurship and New Venture Initiation Fall Term 2010

ADMINISTRATIVE ISSUES
1.
Please forward your PITT e-mail account to any other e-mail account you are using (e.g. Hotmail,
Gmail) to receive any BLACKBOARD e-mails.
2.
Academic Integrity: Students in this course will be expected to comply with the University of
Pittsburgh’s Policy on Academic Integrity. Any student suspected of violating this obligation for any reason during the semester will be required to participate in the procedural process, initiated at the instructor level, as outlined in the University Guidelines on Academic Integrity. This may include, but is not limited to, the confiscation of the examination of any individual suspected of violating University Policy.
3.
If you have a disability for which you are or may be requesting an accommodation, you are encouraged to contact your instructor and Disability Resources and Services (DRS) – 216 William
Pitt Union, 412-648-7890 or 412-383-7355 (TTY) – during the first week of class. DRS will verify your disability and determine reasonable accommodations for this course.
4.
Attendance is required. It is the student’s responsibility to bring your name sign to each class and sign the attendance sheet. Excused absences should be cleared one week in advance of the absence.
5.
Students are expected to uphold the standards of academic honesty and integrity.
6.
E-mail is a valuable communication tool. However, face-to-face communication is valued and expected for interactions regarding curriculum questions, assignments, absences, etc.
7.
After the midterm date, withdrawal from the course will be at the discretion of the instructor.
8.
Phones and music devices should be turned off during all class sessions. Computers should be used for note-taking only. Failure to comply with this rule will affect your class participation grade.
9.
The faculty teaching the course reserves the right to make necessary changes in the course schedule or materials according to his discretion.
GRADING
Individual Grades:
Live Case Study Write-Ups = 20 %
Class Participation = 20 %
Group Grades:
Business Abstract
Funding Presentation
= 10 %
= 20 %
Business Plan = 30 %
The Katz School has adopted the following grading guidelines for all required and elective courses within the various Masters Programs. These guidelines are intended to provide a benchmark for all teaching faculty, so that they can make informed judgments about the grades assigned in courses. The median grade for core courses should be about a B+. The median grade for an elective might be slightly higher.
Grade
A+, A, A-
B+ and B
B- and below
Participation
Recommended Distribution
30-40%
55-65%
5-15%
UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH KATZ GRADUATE SCHOOL OF BUSINESS
BSEO 2531: Entrepreneurship and New Venture Initiation Fall Term 2010

Active participation in class discussions is a key component of this course. Please prepare your readings thoughtfully before each class period so that you can participate in class discussions in an active, informed way. You will be assessed on: active and constructive contribution, depth of responses (facts along with interpretation/analysis), collegial participation without dominating the discussion or being disruptive and, finally, application of readings from Entrepreneur Magazine or
Fast Company .
SCHEDULE (subject to change as semester evolves):
Sept 1 Live Case Study: Stat Easy
Lecture/Discussion: Idea Generation
Sept 8 Live Case Study: Stat Easy Write-Up Due
Lecture/Discussion: Feasibility Analysis
Panel Discussion: Entrepreneurs and Pittsburgh-based Funding Opportunities
Sept 15 Read Babson Case: Plextronics, Inc. Light. Power. Circuitry.
Lecture/Discussion: Intellectual Property
Sept 22 Read HBP Case: Petstore.com
Read HBP: The Start-Up Process
Lecture/Discussion: The Start-Up Process
Sept 29 Live Case Study: Blue Belt Technologies
Lecture/Discussion: Venture Capital
Lecture/Discussion: The Business Abstract
Oct 6
Oct 13
Oct 20
Live Case Study: Blue Belt Technologies Write-Up Due (chose 2 of 4)
Guest Speaker: Intellectual Property Attorney
Read HBP: Note on Developing Start-Up Strategies
No Class
Read HBP: The Questions Every Entrepreneur Must Answer
UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH KATZ GRADUATE SCHOOL OF BUSINESS
BSEO 2531: Entrepreneurship and New Venture Initiation Fall Term 2010

Oct 27
Live Case Study: ShowClix
Live Case Study: ClearCount Medical Solutions
Business Abstract Due
Live Case Study: ShowClix Write-Up Due (chose 2 of 4)
Live Case Study: ClearCount Medical Solutions Write-Up Due (chose 2 of 4)
Read HBP: Writing a Business Plan: The Basics
Live Case Study: Zulama
Lecture/Discussion: Funding Presentations and Business Plans
Nov 3 Live Case Study: Zulama Write-Up Due (chose 2 of 4)
Read HBP: Note on Business Model Analysis for the Entrepreneur
Read HBP: Zipcar: Redefining the Business Model
Live Case Study: A Serial Entrepreneur
Nov 10 Read HBP: Sheila Mason & Craig Shepherd (Abridged)
Live Case Study: Plextronics
Nov 17 Read HBP Case: Term Sheet Negotiations for Trendsetter, Inc.
Read HBP: Note on Angel Investing
Guest Speakers: Investors
Nov 24 No Class
Dec 1 Read: The Five Dysfunctions of a Team
Case Study Write-Up Due: The Five Dysfunctions of a Team
Dec 8 Business Plan Due
Funding Presentations
Dec 16 Funding Presentations
UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH KATZ GRADUATE SCHOOL OF BUSINESS
BSEO 2531: Entrepreneurship and New Venture Initiation Fall Term 2010