(Please complete this form and attach any related materials. Forward it as an email attachment to the Secretary of the Graduate Council. A printed copy of the form with signatures should be brought to the Graduate Council
Meeting. If no coordination with other units is requires, simply indicate “None” on the form.
:
Choose any combination to complete 12 credits from the following:
MBA 711: Entrepreneurship
MBA 714: Managing Growth of Small Businesses
MBA 705 Venture Capital & Private Finance
MBA 752: Ideas to Companies
MBA 719: Entrepreneurship Laboratory
None
Please list those units outside of your own who may be affected by these. Each of these units must approve this change prior to its being submitted to the Graduate Council for approval.
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Head of Unit’s Signature:
Date: Unit:
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Submitted by: _____________________________________________ Email: ____________
Graduate Council approval:____________________________________ Date: _____________
Graduate Council representative: ________________________________ Date: _____________

Provost Office representative: __________________________________ Date: _____________

George Mason University
Graduate Council Graduate Course Approval Form
All courses numbered 500 or above must be submitted to the Graduate Council for final approval after approval by the sponsoring College, School or Institute.
Graduate Council requires submission of this form for a new course or any change to existing courses. For a new course, please attach a copy of the syllabus and catalog description ( with catalog credit format, e.g. 3:2:1 ). The designated representative of the College, School or Institute should forward the form along with the syllabus and catalog description, if required, as an email attachment (in one file) to the secretary of the Graduate Council. A printed copy of the form with signatures and the attachments should be brought to the Graduate Council meeting. Please complete the Graduate Course
Coordinator Form if the proposed changes will affect other units.
Note : Colleges, Schools or Institutes are responsible for submitting new or modified catalog descriptions (35 words or less, using catalog format) to Creative Services by deadlines outlined in the yearly Catalog production calendar.
: New __X___ Modify _______ Delete _______
: School of Management
: MBA752
: 8949 Email : aburgos2@gmu.edu
: Angel Burgos
Course Title : Ideas To Companies
(New/Modified Courses only)
: Fall 2008
( deleted courses only )
:____________
:
(Fixed)
__X___
(Var.)
______ to ______
(check one)
:
__X__ Regular graduate (A, B,
C, etc.)
_____ Satisfactory/No Credit only
_____ Special graduate (A, B, C, etc. + IP)
(check one)
: _X__
Not repeatable ____
Repeatable within degree ____
Repeatable within term
*Note: Used only for special topics, independent study, or internships courses
: __3__
1. LEC
=Lecture
=Seminar
=Studio
=Internship
=Independent Study only for courses with Lab or Rct component)
2.____
=Lab
=Recitation
(second code used
_X__
___
(Check one:
Note: Modified courses - review prereq or coreq for necessary changes; Deleted courses - review other courses to correct prereqs that list the deleted course.
(for modified courses):____________________________________________________________________
(major/college/class code restrictions, if needed)
:__________________________________________
Department/Unit Approval Signature :_________________________________________ Date: _____________
College/School Committee Approval Signature :__________________________________ Date:_____________
Graduate Council Approval Date :____________ Provost Office Signature :_________________________________

George Mason University Graduate Course Coordination Form
Please list those units outside of your own who may be affected by this new, modified, or deleted course. Each of these units must approve this change prior to its being submitted to the Graduate Council for approval.
Unit:
Head of Unit’s Signature:
Date:
Unit:
Head of Unit’s Signature:
Date:
Head of Unit’s Signature:
Date: Unit:
Head of Unit’s Signature: Date: Unit:
Unit: Head of Units Signature: Date:
Graduate Council approval: ______________________________________________ Date: ____________
Graduate Council representative: __________________________________________ Date: ____________
Provost Office representative: ____________________________________________ Date: ____________

Catalog Description
This advanced course in entrepreneurship is focused on discovery and development of an achievable business concept.
The centerpiece of the course is development of the formal business plan and associated presentation materials. Students will be assigned to teams, and must hypothesize a new business, research and test their hypothesis, and develop a comprehensive written business plan.
Master Syllabus
MBA 752: Ideas to Companies: Turning Ideas into Successful Companies, and Geeks into Gazillionaires
Offered by the Applied IT Department, School of Telecommunications and the School of Management
Currently cross-listed as INFS 697 and TCOM 590 (Section 002 in Spring 2008) and School of Management MBA
799 (Section 001 in Spring 2008).
3 Credits.
Prerequisites: Completion of MBA core requirements and MBA 711 (for MBA students), or permission of the instructor.
Course Description: This advanced course in entrepreneurship is focused on discovery and development of an achievable business concept. The centerpiece of the course is development of the formal business plan and associated presentation materials. Students will be assigned to teams, and must hypothesize a new business, research and test their hypothesis, and develop a comprehensive written business plan. The plan must be for an actual business which the
students intend to start upon the successful completion of the course. Technology based projects are encouraged, but not required. Because the course is cross listed with IT&E and SOM, most teams will include both engineering and business students. Weekly presentations of the teams’ progress are required.
Learning Objectives: This is a course in discovery , the process by which alert individuals discover, research, test and develop their entrepreneurial plans. Our format is a practicum in applying the previous theory learned about entrepreneurship, as well as a capstone combining the elements of management, finance, accounting, marketing, and information technology into an integrated whole within the context of the startup. After completing this course students should be able to investigate, research, test and develop their own concept for a simple business, or serve as a valued member of a larger team developing a more sophisticated new business, product or service.
Approach to Learning and Student Responsibilities: Students must come to class fully prepared to discuss and defend their work progress of the previous week toward the completed business plan. Teams are assigned, with most teams combining members from engineering and business backgrounds, so students must be committed to refining and enhancing their interpersonal and communications skills. Students should note that team self-evaluations are an important part of the grade.
Course Website: (See individual instructor syllabi for specific section addresses)
Representative Texts and Required Materials:
Entrepreneurship : Successfully Launching New Ventures, 2 nd Edition (Hardcover) by Barringer, Bruce R. and R. Duane
Ireland. Publisher: Prentice Hall (February 1, 2007). ISBN: 0-13-224057-2.
Writing a Convincing Business Plan (Paperback) by Dethomas, Arthur R. and Lin Grensing. Barron's Educational
Series; 2nd edition (January 1, 2001). ISBN: 0764113992.
The Successful Business Plan Secrets and Strategies by Rhonda Abrams, Running R Media (2000).
Methods of Student Evaluation:
Written Business Plan: 25%
Final Presentation: 15%

Mid Semester Presentation: 10%
Mid Semester Exam: 10%
Case Study write-ups
and class participation: 10%
10% Group self-evaluation
Instructor Evaluation/
Take Home Exam: 20%
Topics Covered:
Class 1 : Course Overview. Expectations. Discussion of Last Semester. Introductions of Professors and Students. Ideas vs.
Opportunities. Products vs Services. Business Planning; Team Creation. Defining what is a successful business. Creating an organizing a business. A culture of innovation. Entrepreneurship Test.
For Class 2: Individual Assignments: come up with one business idea for your business plan. Write up a 1-2 page description of the concept, the development process, the marketing and financial aspects and why you want to develop this business. Also write up a 1 pager on why you want to take this course. Please prepare a 2 minute presentation about your idea to the class. Prepare case hand out for discussion.
Read Chapters 1-3 of the Successful Plan
Class 2: Student 2 minute presentations. Evaluating an opportunity – market research. Target markets. Financial implications. How to identify good ideas (engineering vs market driven). Opportunities. Growth strategies.
Environmental trends. Customer needs. How they will be addressed better. Value proposition. Competition. Legal and regulatory aspects.
For Class 3: Team Assignment: From the individual plans of class one, pick the one the team wants to do. As a team, write up two pages explaining why the one was chosen and how that product or service will be developed and why the others were not chosen. Be sure to include information about: sales and marketing process, target markets, financial implications, people and organization, opportunities and growth strategies, environmental trends, how customer needs will be addressed better then the current choices, value proposition, competition, legal and regulatory aspects. What are the critical assumptions and risks for the business viability? Also, prepare a 5-minute presentation to the class on your idea
(with up to 3 minutes Q&A follow up).
Individual Assignment
Read: Successful Business Plan Chapter 4-5.
Class 3: Team presentations. Product or Service Development. Features, function, form, existing and potential competition.
For Class 4: Team Assignment: Write up 2-page product and /or service plan. Identify market size and growth, product or service solution, market plan, value proposition to the customer, trends, competition, how customers will be acquired, product or service development issues, risks and plans to mitigate the risks. Prepare 6-minute class presentation.
Individual Assignment: Read Chapters 6-8 in Successful Plans
Class 4: Team Class Presentations. Marketing: Target markets, customers, buying processes, creating awareness, distribution and channels, sales processes, pricing, promotion, and competitive strategies.
For Class 5: Two Team Assignments: Rewrite the product or service and marketing plan.
Develop a rough financial plan that details yr 1-3 projections by quarter for all revenue and all expense categories listed in your business.
Individual Assignment: Read Chapters 9-10 in Successful Plans
Business Financial Case write-up
Class 5: Business Financial Case Discussion. Finance and Operations: Financial Planning, Income Statement, Balance
Sheet, Sources and Uses of cash, Initial funding.
For Class 6: Team Assignment: Develop a detailed financial and operational plan for your business idea over a 5-year period. Address major assumptions and risks and how to mitigate the risks. Provide as back-up cash flows, income statements and balance sheets and any funding issues. Prepare a 8-minute class presentation on the assignment (all participate).
Individual Assignment: Read Chapters 11-13 and 16 in Successful Plans

Class 6: Financial Discussion Continued. Team presentations. Operational aspects: product development, ongoing development, service and support issues, any economic aspects. People and Organizations. Pros and cons of using friends and family. Developing a business organization. Arrangements between owners. Compensation structures.
People management. HR systems. How to find and motivate the right people. Team game assignment.
For Class 7: Team Assignment: Develop a 1-2 page plan explaining where you will find any people you need and the compensation and motivation structure. Discuss what the pros and cons of what you are proposing. Rewrite the financial and operational plan.
Individual Assignment: Chapters 14-15 in Successful Plans
Business Competitive Case write-up.
Class 7: Business Competitive Case. Competitive strategies, competitive barriers to entry, legal and regulatory issues and risks.
For Class 8: Team Assignment: Prepare a 15-minute class presentation on your business idea outlining all the aspects of what we covered so far.
Individual Assignments: Take Home Mid-term exam - Google.
Class 8: Class Presentations – 15 minutes per team plus 5 minutes Q&A. Q&A to evaluators and feedback.
For Class 9: Team Assignment: Prepare a 2 page competitive strategy and address any legal and regulatory issues.
Class 9: Case Study Google; Debt vs Equity. Financial Review and ratios. Funding the venture and valuations.
Financial drill down. Where does the money come from? Pros and Cons of various approaches. Realistic Time Lines.
Milestones. Income statement, balance sheet, sources and uses of cash, resources required, risks and plans to mitigate, comparisons to other similar businesses, financing and valuation issues. Ratio Analysis.
For Class 10: Create the detailed financial and operational plan. Show the first year by month and years 2-5 by quarter.
Include: Income statement, balance sheet, sources and uses of cash, resources required, milestones, risks and plans to mitigate, comparisons to other similar businesses, financing and valuation issues and solutions. Prepare a 10-minute class presentation on the assignment (includes Q&A).
Class 10: Initially financial presentations and review. Then marketing and product/service drill down.
For Class 11: Team Assignment: Rewrite the marketing plan and the product or service plan. Include: customer acquisition process and costs, forecasts, pricing plans, target markets, competitive aspects. Prepare a 10-minute presentation on the Marketing, Product and Service Plans and how to handle competition (includes Q&A).
Class 11: Initially presentations and marketing and product/service plan review. Then competitive, growth and exit strategies.
For Class 12: Team Assignment: Write 2 page long term plans explaining how growth will occur and what will need to be done to make it work. Write up exit strategy. Rewrite intro and executive overview.
Individual Assignment: Case on Raising $$ and exit strategies write-up
Class 12: Case Discussion. Presentations on long term growth and exit strategy. Putting it all together – Successful
Plans. Presentation techniques
For Class 13: Gravitonus case write up. Also optional, write the 1page intro and executive overview. Rewrite the final version of any the business plan you want feedback on.
Class 13: Topics to be decided based on group needs
For Class 14: Team Assignment: Prepare final business plan and presentations. 4 copies of Final Business Plan due
Friday, April 27 th at 4:00PM delivered to Don Gantz’s office (Science and Technology 1, Room 120)
Class 14: Present 15 minute class presentation with 5 minutes of Q&A (20 minutes per team maximum). Presentation pitches business plan, shows the value proposition, addresses the marketing, sales, competitive, legal, regulatory, operational and financial aspects, addresses key assumptions and risks and how they will be overcome. Decide on who wins the $5,000. Conduct Team evaluations.
Exam – Take Home Due during finals week
Other topics may be added at the instructor’s discretion

HONOR CODE/ACADEMIC HONESTY:
Any cheating, fabrication, plagiarism or facilitating academic dishonesty by another will result in confiscation of the subject work or exam, and a grade of zero on that work. It is your responsibility to know and to follow George Mason
University’s policy on intellectual integrity. The faculty expects students to follow the University’s honor code as presented in the University’s publications.
ODS Statement:
If you are a student with a disability and you need academic accommodations, please see instructor and contact the Office of Disability Services (ODS) at (703) 993-2474. All academic accommodations must be arranged through the ODS.

George Mason University
Graduate Council Graduate Course Approval Form
All courses numbered 500 or above must be submitted to the Graduate Council for final approval after approval by the sponsoring College, School or Institute.
Graduate Council requires submission of this form for a new course or any change to existing courses. For a new course, please attach a copy of the syllabus and catalog description ( with catalog credit format, e.g. 3:2:1 ). The designated representative of the College, School or Institute should forward the form along with the syllabus and catalog description, if required, as an email attachment (in one file) to the secretary of the Graduate Council. A printed copy of the form with signatures and the attachments should be brought to the Graduate Council meeting. Please complete the Graduate Course
Coordinator Form if the proposed changes will affect other units.
Note : Colleges, Schools or Institutes are responsible for submitting new or modified catalog descriptions (35 words or less, using catalog format) to Creative Services by deadlines outlined in the yearly Catalog production calendar.
: New _______ Modify ___X____ Delete _______
:_School of Management________
: MBA 719
:________Roy Hinton______________
:__1662____ Email :______rhinton1@gmu.edu____
Course Title: ____Entrepreneurship Laboratory________________________________________________
(New/Modified Courses only)
: Fall 2008
( deleted courses only )
:____________
:
(Fixed)
1.5
(Var.)
______ to ______
(check one)
:
C, etc.)
__X___ Regular graduate (A, B,
_____ Satisfactory/No Credit only
_____ Special graduate (A, B, C, etc. + IP)
(check one)
: ___
Not repeatable _X___
Repeatable within degree ____
Repeatable within term
*Note: Used only for special topics, independent study, or internships courses
: ___3__
1._INT_
=Lecture
=Seminar
=Studio
=Internship
=Independent Study only for courses with Lab or Rct component)
2.____
=Lab
=Recitation
(second code used
_X__
___
(Check one)
:____ Admission to the MBA program, or permission of the program director.
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Note: Modified courses - review prereq or coreq for necessary changes; Deleted courses - review other courses to correct prereqs that list the deleted course.
(for modified courses):______changing from 1 credit hour to 1.5 credit hours.__________________
(major/college/class code restrictions, if needed)
:__________________________________________
Department/Unit Approval Signature :_________________________________________ Date: _____________
College/School Committee Approval Signature :__________________________________ Date:_____________
Graduate Council Approval Date :____________ Provost Office Signature :_________________________________

George Mason University Graduate Course Coordination Form
Please list those units outside of your own who may be affected by this new, modified, or deleted course. Each of these units must approve this change prior to its being submitted to the Graduate Council for approval.
Unit:
Head of Unit’s Signature:
Date:
Unit:
Head of Unit’s Signature:
Date:
Head of Unit’s Signature:
Date: Unit:
Head of Unit’s Signature: Date: Unit:
Unit: Head of Units Signature: Date:
Graduate Council approval: ______________________________________________ Date: ____________
Graduate Council representative: __________________________________________ Date: ____________
Provost Office representative: ____________________________________________ Date: ____________

Purpose: This course permits MBA students to work with the entrepreneurial community to gain first hand knowledge of the process of the solicitation of second stage funding for new businesses, evaluation of the applications for second stage funding, consultation for entities seeking funding and the negotiations for obtaining second stage funding.
Learning Objectives:
1.
To gain experience in critically evaluating proposals submitted for funding by venture capitalist and other funding sources.
2.
To gain experience in advising entrepreneurs who have been unsuccessful in soliciting external funding.
3.
To gain experience in working with the entrepreneurial community to secure external funding.
Approach to learning:
The learning in this course will be experiential; students will learn by doing. Students will work closely with faculty, entrepreneurs, and those advisors working with entrepreneurs to secure an understanding of the entrepreneurial community and the process of securing funding.
The heart of this class is the Grubstake Breakfast, a “venture fair” program put on each semester by the Business Alliance for entrepreneurs seeking early stage funding. Through Grubstake, Washington area entrepreneurs may apply to make a formal presentation of about 8 minutes seeking funding from venture and angel sources. Grubstake has been an important part of the Washington community’s venture development for more than a decade. Students will observe and participate the steps in the Grubstake process, including applications, screening, in-person interviews, and final presentations to the breakfast program.
One final written report by the student will be required.
Course website: None
Prerequisites: Completion of MBA core courses and permission of instructor. This course may be repeated for up to 3 credits.
Grading: Grading will be primarily based upon the student’s active participation in the screening process. Attendance at some meetings is mandatory, and is noted in the outline below. Local area volunteers that work with the student will be asked to submit a written assessment of the student’s work, which will be shared with the student by the professor, and will be considered in the grade. A written final report by the student is required. Grading will be weighted:
Event participation
Assessments by
40%
volunteers
Presentations on
findings.
Final written report
Total
40
10
10
100%
95 – 100 A 90 - 94.99 A-
70 - 74.99 B- 65 - 69.99 C
85 - 89.99 B+
Below 65 F
Grade Structure
75 - 84.99 B

Required Text: Every Business Needs an Angel, John May and Cal Simmons, Random House (2001).
Schedule: TBD. All meetings will be organized to fit the schedule of the Grubstake Breakfast (Fall meeting) and its supporting meetings. Some meetings will be held as conference calls.
Office hours: Monday mornings on Fairfax campus, Enterprise Hall 025, or appointment.
Course Outline
The following is a general outline of the Grubstake process and the students’ expected involvement. Certain steps have required attendance. It is the student’s responsibility to organize their program and attend those meetings that are required. As a 1 hour credit students are expected to spend 3 hours per week (one of those in meetings) devoted to the course.