BUKD-X501 Venture Evolution and Ecosystems

• 12 weeks
• 3.00 credits
• Prerequisite(s): BUKD-N525

Prerequisite: N525. Typically offered in the Summer Successful entrepreneurs are seldom the solo mavericks portrayed by the media—they are embedded in a network that provides feedback, support, and resources that help the would-be entrepreneur move his or her ideas forward. Some venture ecosystems, like Silicon Valley, Boston, Austin, and increasingly Indianapolis, have a rich and complex venture community and bring different parts of this network together at key times—think South by Southwest in Austin.  You may be part of an active venture ecosystem—or one that has fewer participants and resources. This course will enable you to understand the key components of a venture ecosystem and explore your own and other venture ecosystems. Engaging in your own community—virtually or otherwise--is an important step in developing your entrepreneurial capacity and raising your innovation IQ.?This allows you to be a more successful corporate entrepreneur, or change agent in a larger context, as well. The class will have participants engage with and map their own or a desired venture ecosystem to build a network for future success. You can also work to develop and/or validate your own venture idea, if you have one in process. Sessions with leaders in venture communities including entrepreneurs, investors, and other startup supporters, and a dynamic working case study of a startup round out the experience.