Description
In this brief illustration in relation to cases in new venture management entrepreneur.
BAEP 553: Cases in New Venture Management
Monday 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., JKP 212
Fall 2015 SYLLABUS
Version 1.0
BAEP 553 is a 1.5-unit entrepreneur course for graduate students.
INSTRUCTOR: STEVE MEDNICK
Associate Professor of Clinical Entrepreneurship
Associate Director, Marshall Center for Innovation
USC Marshall School of Business
Lloyd Greif Center for Entrepreneurial Studies
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA 90089-0441
HOW TO CONTACT: MOBILE: 949-838-5894
EMAIL: [email protected]
OFFICE HOURS: Monday 2-4:45 p.m. and individual appointments
Please use my email or voicemail to discuss items of a personal nature.
Any questions about the course material, content, or procedures should
be posted on the Blackboard discussion board, where responses will be
available to benefit all class members, or addressed during our
MarshallTALK sessions.
EMERGENCY NUMBERS: USC Emergencies 213-740-4321
USC Emergency Information Line 213-740-9233
USC Information Line 213-740-2311
KUSC Radio 91.5
REQUIRED TEXT: There is no course reader. However, readings and/or cases may be
assigned throughout the semester. Readings and cases will be posted
to Blackboard.
PREREQUISITES: None
COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES: Upon taking this course, the student will be able to:
• Evaluate challenges relating to new ventures
• Assess new venture opportunities
• Analyze strategic choices in relation to new ventures
• Analyze the exit process for a venture
BAEP 553 Cases in New Venture Management Fall 2015 Professor Mednick Page 2
PURPOSE/DESCRIPTION:
This course provides students with insight into the issues, challenges and opportunities involved in the
creation and management of a new venture over its full life cycle. Typically, entrepreneurs are
consumed with their product or service and are not prepared to strategically nor tactically lead the
venture.
For this 1.5 unit course, we will specifically focus on the entrepreneur and their personal journey.
Who are they? What lessons can we learn from them?
COURSE GOALS & TOPICS:
In this course, you will have an opportunity to explore a number of issues in an early to mid-stage
venture such as:
• What entrepreneurs do (or fail to do) to prepare themselves to launch their venture
• Starting a new business in an industry where the entrepreneur has a passion but no background.
Wise? What are the added costs, issues, challenges?
• How entrepreneurs react to the daily ups and downs of leading a venture
• The personal toll on the entrepreneur, his/her family and friends when launching a new venture
• How early stage businesses create culture
• How an early stage business competes against large, established enterprises (“David vs. Goliath”)
• How entrepreneurs go from “me selling our product or service” to us (hiring sales people) selling
our product or service
• How to identify and select outside service providers (attorneys, accountants, bankers, etc.) who
understand the difficulties of early stage businesses?
• How to secure outside funding – debt and equity
• How to prepare for succession planning
• How to prepare your company for exit. And, when is the best time to sell
• Transitioning from entrepreneur to entrepreneur CEO
• How to create an environment that fosters innovation
BAEP 553 Cases in New Venture Management Fall 2015 Professor Mednick Page 3
COURSE GRADED ASSIGNMENTS:
Weekly Vignettes
Over the course of the semester, 6 separate topics will be presented. Each student, at his/her sole
discretion, shall select 5 of the 6 topics to submit both a pre and a post class paper to Blackboard.
The first 5 post class submissions (a single submission comprising both the pre and post class
papers) will receive points. In order to submit a post class paper, a student must submit an ungraded
pre class paper, posted to Blackboard only, prior to the start of class in which the topic will be
presented. [Note: Blackboard will not accept late submissions.] No exceptions.
5 Pre Class Papers (Required but not graded separately.)
Each week the faculty will post a vignette introducing the next week’s topic. If a student wishes to
submit a graded post class paper, she/he must post this paper to Blackboard prior to the start of class
in which the vignette will be discussed. This paper should be no more than one page in length and
outline the student’s initial thoughts presented in the vignette. The pre class paper will be reviewed at
the time the post class paper is evaluated as set forth below.
Note: Class attendance the night of the guest speaker and a pre class paper timely posted to
Blackboard is an absolute pre-requisite to submitting a post class paper. No exceptions.
5 Post Class Papers (200 points each)
The post class paper shall comprise of two parts. Part one is the student’s pre class paper. Part two
shall be a discussion of (1) what the student learned from the guest speaker, (2) how the student’s pre
class thoughts aligned or differed with the class discussion and (3) the student’s key takeaway
elements. Including the pre class paper, the post class paper may not exceed 3 pages in length. Post
class papers will be evaluated based upon the student’s pre class paper and presentation of the three
discussion points. Post class papers are to be submitted to Blackboard. The first 5 submitted to
Blackboard will be assessed for grading – no exceptions.
Papers will receive points based upon the following evaluation scale:
175 - 200 points – outstanding issue insight 150 - 175 points – good issue insight
125 - 150 points – fair issue insight 50 – 125 points – minimal issue insight
Note: if the pre-class paper is not included with the submission of the post-class paper, the maximum
available point total for the paper is 180 points.
Student Presentations
One-time 4-minute presentation with PowerPoint slides (100 presentation points)
Each week up to 4 individuals of two students each will volunteer to present either their pre or post
class papers to the class (maximum of 2 pre class and 2 post class presentations each week).
Individuals/teams will have no more than 4 minutes and must use up to four PowerPoint slides.
Please sign-up on Blackboard prior to class if you or your team would like to present. There are no
“make-ups” for this activity. Please sign-up early to assure yourself of a presentation slot.
BAEP 553 Cases in New Venture Management Fall 2015 Professor Mednick Page 4
The Rules of the Road
By week 8 of the course, the students will have crafted five (5) post class papers in response to
twelve issues, challenges and opportunities involved in the creation and managing a new venture over
its full life cycle. Due on the last day of class, which is October 12, the students will submit a final
project presenting their rules of the road learned when creating and managing a new venture over its
full life cycle. There is no length requirement, and the student may submit the project in any form of
their choosing. Though only 5 of the 6 topics have been submitted for evaluation, the student may
include thoughts from the other week. The Rules of the Road is worth 300 points. The assignment
will be evaluated based upon both content and form.
LATE WORK WILL LOSE 10% of the POINTS for each week it is late. After the second week, you
will not receive a grade. Plan to e-mail your work before class if you must be absent. Follow-up with
the hard copy and always post to Blackboard; we will not print out e-mails.
RULES OF THE ROAD LATE PENALTY. A different and separate penalty schedule applies to the
Rules of the Road assignment as follows: The Rules of the Road Assignment in hard copy is due
in class by 6:45 p.m. on October 12, 2015. A 5% penalty of your grade will be deducted for
assignments submitted after 6:45 p.m. on the day it is due. An additional 5% daily penalty will
apply for each day thereafter until your assignment is submitted in hard copy (and recorded by Greif
Center staff) at the Greif Center. Concurrently, post the assignment to Blackboard.
COURSE ETIQUETTE AND GUESTS:
Treat your professors and our guests as you would a customer. You will get in return what you give.
There are no excuses. We operate this class like the business world.
We anticipate a guest presenter every week. You are expected to greet them at the beginning of
class. They will be prompt; you must arrive by 6:30 p.m. for every class. Please also check with us
about availability for office hours just before our speakers' dates. Sometimes our guests will be
joining us for dinner—perhaps you may wish to join us? We will try to inform you of changes as they
occur.
ACADEMIC STANDARDS AND DISABILITY ACCOMODATIONS:
The University community consisting of faculty, students and administration is dedicated to high
ethical standards. Every person at USC has an inherent responsibility to uphold the principles of
academic integrity. Students are expected to understand the Academic Integrity guidelines in
SCampus.
Any student requesting academic accommodations based on a physical, psychological or learning
disability is required to register with Disability Services and Programs (DSP) each semester. A letter
of verification for approved accommodations can be obtained from DSP. Please be sure the letter is
Course Graded Assignments
Outline
Week 1 Week 2 Week 3 !4, 5!
Topic 1 Pre Class Paper Topic 2 Pre Class Paper Topic 3 Pre Class Paper
Presentations Presentations Presentations
Topic 1 Post Class Paper Topic 2 Post Class Paper
Final Week October 12
Topic 6 Post Class Paper
Rules of the Road
BAEP 553 Cases in New Venture Management Fall 2015 Professor Mednick Page 5
delivered to us as early in the semester as possible (by the Post Class week of the semester). DSP is
located in STU 301 and is open from 8:30 AM to 5 PM, Monday through Friday. The telephone
number for DSP is (213) 740-0776.
COURSE READER:
There is no course reader. However, readings and/or cases may be assigned throughout the
semester. Readings and cases will be posted to Blackboard if possible. If not, they will be handed
out in class.
PARTICIPATION and CLASS ASSIGNMENTS:
CLASS ATTENDANCE: The Entrepreneur Program is a real life experience and as such expects real
world professionals. The motto is “treat each other as you would a customer.” Therefore, tardiness
and absences without notice are not acceptable. If you have a customer meeting, you will be on time.
If you cannot be on time, you will call well in advance. Similar etiquette is required in this program.
Class attendance the night of a guest speaker is a mandatory requirement to submitting a Post
Class Paper. There are no make-ups or excuses.
Class participation:
Class participation is a critical element in the success of the course. Consequently, it is given equal
weight to one of the post class papers as follows:
100 points – student is highly engaged in class on a weekly basis contributing insightful questions and
thoughts.
75 points – student is moderately engaged in class on a periodic basis and occasionally contributes
insightful questions and thoughts.
25 points – student is somewhat engaged in class contributing obvious questions and thoughts.
0 points – student does not contribute in class.
BAEP 553 Cases in New Venture Management Fall 2015 Professor Mednick Page 6
CLASS GRADING
Class participation up to 100
5 Pre Class Papers
Required but not graded separately
5 Post Class Papers
200 points each; up to 5 submissions 1000
Rules of the Road 300
Presentation
4-minute individual/team presentation with PowerPoint slides 100
Total Points 1500
Note: additional presentation points may be offered throughout the semester to reward
individuals/teams presenting more than once. If and when offered, sign-ups will be taken on a first
come, first served basis.
BAEP 553 Cases in New Venture Management Fall 2015 Professor Mednick Page 7
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
MARSHALL SCHOOL OF BUSINESS
The Lloyd Greif Center for Entrepreneurial Studies
CONFIDENTIALITY POLICY
Throughout The Entrepreneur Program’s classes and events, students will be exposed to proprietary
information from other students, guest lecturers and faculty. It is the policy of The Entrepreneur
Program that all such information is to be treated as confidential.
By enrolling in and taking part in The Entrepreneur Program’s classes and activities, students agree
not to disclose this information to any third parties without specific written permission from students,
guest lecturers or faculty, as applicable. Students further agree not to utilize any such proprietary
information for their own personal commercial advantage or for the commercial advantage of any third
party.
In addition, students agree that any legal or consulting advice provided without direct fee and in an
academic setting will not be relied upon without the enlisted opinion of an outside attorney or
consultant, without affiliation to The Program.
Any breach of this policy may subject a student to academic integrity proceedings as described in the
University of Southern California University Governance Policies and Procedures as outlined in
SCampus, and to the remedies that may be available at law.
The Entrepreneur Program, the Marshall School of Business and the University of Southern California
disclaim any responsibility for the protection of intellectual property of students, guest lecturers or
faculty who are involved in The Entrepreneur Program classes or events.
Receipt of this policy and registration in our classes is evidence that you understand this policy and
will abide by it.
BAEP 553 Cases in New Venture Management Fall 2015 Professor Mednick Page 8
BAEP 553 – Cases in New Venture Management
DELIVERABLE DUE
Week 1 August 24
MODULE 1 PRE CLASS
EVENING LINE-UP
Class discussion:
Introduction to BAEP 553
Syllabus & course expectations
Student presentations & class discussion
Guest speaker: Helen Chen, Ph.D., Chief Operations Officer, Ambryx Biotechnology, Inc.
“How a young woman professional with a technical background successfully
navigates through the entrepreneurial world.”
Week 2 August 31
MODULE 1 POST CLASS
MODULE 2 PRE CLASS
EVENING LINE-UP
Student presentations & class discussion
Guest speaker: Ken Pavia, Founder, MMAagents
“Growing a business in a new industry segment.”
Week 3 September 7
Labor Day. No class.
Week 4 September 14
MODULE 2 POST CLASS
MODULE 3 PRE CLASS
EVENING LINE-UP
Student presentations & class discussion
Guest speaker: Carey Ransom, CEO, RealPractice
“The ‘organizational entrepreneur’ - scaling a stagnant company backed by
venture capital.”
BAEP 553 Cases in New Venture Management Fall 2015 Professor Mednick Page 9
Week 5 September 21
MODULE 3 POST CLASS
MODULE 4 PRE CLASS
EVENING LINE-UP
Student presentations & class discussion
Guest speaker: Gene Alexander, Ph.D., Founder & CEO, MaMoCa
“Launch to exit. Not what we planned for.”
Week 6 September 28
MODULE 4 POST CLASS
MODULE 5 PRE CLASS
EVENING LINE-UP
Student presentations & class discussion
Guest speaker: Tal Golan, serial entrepreneur and currently an employee at
Salesforce.com
“Can a serial entrepreneur find ‘happiness’ in a job in corporate America?”
Week 7 October 5
MODULE 5 POST CLASS
MODULE 6 PRE CLASS
EVENING LINE-UP
Student presentations & class discussion
Guest speaker: Steven Myers, Founder & Chairman Emeritus, Steven Myers & Associates
“Opportunity recognition.”
BAEP 553 Cases in New Venture Management Fall 2015 Professor Mednick Page 10
Week 8 October 12
MODULE 6 POST CLASS
RULES OF THE ROAD*
EVENING LINE-UP
Student presentations & class discussion
EVENING LINE-UP
Course evaluation
Student insights
Wrap-up.
* As a reminder, the Rules of the Road assignment must be submitted in hard copy and concurrently
posted to Blackboard.
BAEP 553 Cases in New Venture Management Fall 2015 Professor Mednick Page 11
APPENDIX
MBA PROGRAM POLICY GOVERNING NON-MARSHALL EVENTS THAT CONFLICT WITH CLASSES AND
REQUIRED ACADEMIC ACTIVITIES:
Attendance at all classes and required MBA Program and Career Resource Center activities is expected of every Marshall
MBA student. However, there are times during the academic year when external (non-Marshall) events and activities
conflict with regularly scheduled classes and academic requirements.
The MBA Program Office and the CRC use their influence to minimize (if not eliminate) these conflicts, especially those
that attract a substantial number of students. Despite the efforts of the Program Office and CRC, there are times
throughout the year when the scheduling of the external events is beyond the influence of the Program Office and CRC
and it is not possible to avoid a conflict.
MANAGING CONFLICTS
The Program Office and CRC will identify, as far in advance as possible and to the best of their ability, the dates of
external events and activities that draw a significant number of students. The Program Office will work with the
departments and individual faculty to make adjustments to the academic calendar in ways that minimize or eliminate
any conflict between these activities and normally scheduled academic requirements.
WHEN CONFLICTS OCCUR
When a conflict or overlap between an external activity and academic requirements cannot be avoided, the following
steps will be taken to address the issue:
The Program Office and CRC will generate a list of students who have expressed an interest in the event and who have
met the requirements and standards for participation. The Program Office will vet students for appropriate and
successful degree progress, academic probation, professional behavior and conduct. The CRC will review students for
successful completion of career services programs and training specific to the event and use of the CRC, appropriate
behavior with respect to employers and for overall professional behavior and conduct.
The Program Office and CRC will notify the faculty of the conflict. This notification will be sent as far in advance of the
conflict as possible and will include: a description of the event and a justification for student participation; the number
of students who have been approved to attend the event or activity who will miss the class; and, a deadline for faculty
response.
Faculty will decide whether or not the students may miss the academic requirement or class and communicate their
decision to the Program Office or CRC (not the students) by the established deadline.
The Program Office and CRC will notify the students of their eligibility to participate in the event and generate for each
faculty member affected by the event or activity, a list of students who have been approved to participate.
Please note: staff will not seek to over-ride the decision of the faculty. Students will be notified about their ability to
participate in the event by the Program Office and the CRC only after a decision by the faculty has been made.
If students are released from the class or activity, the students will be held responsible for the content and deliverables
missed as a result of their participation in an event outside of class.
If students are not released from the class or activity, the Program Office and CRC will notify the students that they are
not approved for the event and that their absence from class may negatively impact their grade and/or performance in
the class or activity.
doc_703458420.pdf
In this brief illustration in relation to cases in new venture management entrepreneur.
BAEP 553: Cases in New Venture Management
Monday 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., JKP 212
Fall 2015 SYLLABUS
Version 1.0
BAEP 553 is a 1.5-unit entrepreneur course for graduate students.
INSTRUCTOR: STEVE MEDNICK
Associate Professor of Clinical Entrepreneurship
Associate Director, Marshall Center for Innovation
USC Marshall School of Business
Lloyd Greif Center for Entrepreneurial Studies
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA 90089-0441
HOW TO CONTACT: MOBILE: 949-838-5894
EMAIL: [email protected]
OFFICE HOURS: Monday 2-4:45 p.m. and individual appointments
Please use my email or voicemail to discuss items of a personal nature.
Any questions about the course material, content, or procedures should
be posted on the Blackboard discussion board, where responses will be
available to benefit all class members, or addressed during our
MarshallTALK sessions.
EMERGENCY NUMBERS: USC Emergencies 213-740-4321
USC Emergency Information Line 213-740-9233
USC Information Line 213-740-2311
KUSC Radio 91.5
REQUIRED TEXT: There is no course reader. However, readings and/or cases may be
assigned throughout the semester. Readings and cases will be posted
to Blackboard.
PREREQUISITES: None
COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES: Upon taking this course, the student will be able to:
• Evaluate challenges relating to new ventures
• Assess new venture opportunities
• Analyze strategic choices in relation to new ventures
• Analyze the exit process for a venture
BAEP 553 Cases in New Venture Management Fall 2015 Professor Mednick Page 2
PURPOSE/DESCRIPTION:
This course provides students with insight into the issues, challenges and opportunities involved in the
creation and management of a new venture over its full life cycle. Typically, entrepreneurs are
consumed with their product or service and are not prepared to strategically nor tactically lead the
venture.
For this 1.5 unit course, we will specifically focus on the entrepreneur and their personal journey.
Who are they? What lessons can we learn from them?
COURSE GOALS & TOPICS:
In this course, you will have an opportunity to explore a number of issues in an early to mid-stage
venture such as:
• What entrepreneurs do (or fail to do) to prepare themselves to launch their venture
• Starting a new business in an industry where the entrepreneur has a passion but no background.
Wise? What are the added costs, issues, challenges?
• How entrepreneurs react to the daily ups and downs of leading a venture
• The personal toll on the entrepreneur, his/her family and friends when launching a new venture
• How early stage businesses create culture
• How an early stage business competes against large, established enterprises (“David vs. Goliath”)
• How entrepreneurs go from “me selling our product or service” to us (hiring sales people) selling
our product or service
• How to identify and select outside service providers (attorneys, accountants, bankers, etc.) who
understand the difficulties of early stage businesses?
• How to secure outside funding – debt and equity
• How to prepare for succession planning
• How to prepare your company for exit. And, when is the best time to sell
• Transitioning from entrepreneur to entrepreneur CEO
• How to create an environment that fosters innovation
BAEP 553 Cases in New Venture Management Fall 2015 Professor Mednick Page 3
COURSE GRADED ASSIGNMENTS:
Weekly Vignettes
Over the course of the semester, 6 separate topics will be presented. Each student, at his/her sole
discretion, shall select 5 of the 6 topics to submit both a pre and a post class paper to Blackboard.
The first 5 post class submissions (a single submission comprising both the pre and post class
papers) will receive points. In order to submit a post class paper, a student must submit an ungraded
pre class paper, posted to Blackboard only, prior to the start of class in which the topic will be
presented. [Note: Blackboard will not accept late submissions.] No exceptions.
5 Pre Class Papers (Required but not graded separately.)
Each week the faculty will post a vignette introducing the next week’s topic. If a student wishes to
submit a graded post class paper, she/he must post this paper to Blackboard prior to the start of class
in which the vignette will be discussed. This paper should be no more than one page in length and
outline the student’s initial thoughts presented in the vignette. The pre class paper will be reviewed at
the time the post class paper is evaluated as set forth below.
Note: Class attendance the night of the guest speaker and a pre class paper timely posted to
Blackboard is an absolute pre-requisite to submitting a post class paper. No exceptions.
5 Post Class Papers (200 points each)
The post class paper shall comprise of two parts. Part one is the student’s pre class paper. Part two
shall be a discussion of (1) what the student learned from the guest speaker, (2) how the student’s pre
class thoughts aligned or differed with the class discussion and (3) the student’s key takeaway
elements. Including the pre class paper, the post class paper may not exceed 3 pages in length. Post
class papers will be evaluated based upon the student’s pre class paper and presentation of the three
discussion points. Post class papers are to be submitted to Blackboard. The first 5 submitted to
Blackboard will be assessed for grading – no exceptions.
Papers will receive points based upon the following evaluation scale:
175 - 200 points – outstanding issue insight 150 - 175 points – good issue insight
125 - 150 points – fair issue insight 50 – 125 points – minimal issue insight
Note: if the pre-class paper is not included with the submission of the post-class paper, the maximum
available point total for the paper is 180 points.
Student Presentations
One-time 4-minute presentation with PowerPoint slides (100 presentation points)
Each week up to 4 individuals of two students each will volunteer to present either their pre or post
class papers to the class (maximum of 2 pre class and 2 post class presentations each week).
Individuals/teams will have no more than 4 minutes and must use up to four PowerPoint slides.
Please sign-up on Blackboard prior to class if you or your team would like to present. There are no
“make-ups” for this activity. Please sign-up early to assure yourself of a presentation slot.
BAEP 553 Cases in New Venture Management Fall 2015 Professor Mednick Page 4
The Rules of the Road
By week 8 of the course, the students will have crafted five (5) post class papers in response to
twelve issues, challenges and opportunities involved in the creation and managing a new venture over
its full life cycle. Due on the last day of class, which is October 12, the students will submit a final
project presenting their rules of the road learned when creating and managing a new venture over its
full life cycle. There is no length requirement, and the student may submit the project in any form of
their choosing. Though only 5 of the 6 topics have been submitted for evaluation, the student may
include thoughts from the other week. The Rules of the Road is worth 300 points. The assignment
will be evaluated based upon both content and form.
LATE WORK WILL LOSE 10% of the POINTS for each week it is late. After the second week, you
will not receive a grade. Plan to e-mail your work before class if you must be absent. Follow-up with
the hard copy and always post to Blackboard; we will not print out e-mails.
RULES OF THE ROAD LATE PENALTY. A different and separate penalty schedule applies to the
Rules of the Road assignment as follows: The Rules of the Road Assignment in hard copy is due
in class by 6:45 p.m. on October 12, 2015. A 5% penalty of your grade will be deducted for
assignments submitted after 6:45 p.m. on the day it is due. An additional 5% daily penalty will
apply for each day thereafter until your assignment is submitted in hard copy (and recorded by Greif
Center staff) at the Greif Center. Concurrently, post the assignment to Blackboard.
COURSE ETIQUETTE AND GUESTS:
Treat your professors and our guests as you would a customer. You will get in return what you give.
There are no excuses. We operate this class like the business world.
We anticipate a guest presenter every week. You are expected to greet them at the beginning of
class. They will be prompt; you must arrive by 6:30 p.m. for every class. Please also check with us
about availability for office hours just before our speakers' dates. Sometimes our guests will be
joining us for dinner—perhaps you may wish to join us? We will try to inform you of changes as they
occur.
ACADEMIC STANDARDS AND DISABILITY ACCOMODATIONS:
The University community consisting of faculty, students and administration is dedicated to high
ethical standards. Every person at USC has an inherent responsibility to uphold the principles of
academic integrity. Students are expected to understand the Academic Integrity guidelines in
SCampus.
Any student requesting academic accommodations based on a physical, psychological or learning
disability is required to register with Disability Services and Programs (DSP) each semester. A letter
of verification for approved accommodations can be obtained from DSP. Please be sure the letter is
Course Graded Assignments
Outline
Week 1 Week 2 Week 3 !4, 5!
Topic 1 Pre Class Paper Topic 2 Pre Class Paper Topic 3 Pre Class Paper
Presentations Presentations Presentations
Topic 1 Post Class Paper Topic 2 Post Class Paper
Final Week October 12
Topic 6 Post Class Paper
Rules of the Road
BAEP 553 Cases in New Venture Management Fall 2015 Professor Mednick Page 5
delivered to us as early in the semester as possible (by the Post Class week of the semester). DSP is
located in STU 301 and is open from 8:30 AM to 5 PM, Monday through Friday. The telephone
number for DSP is (213) 740-0776.
COURSE READER:
There is no course reader. However, readings and/or cases may be assigned throughout the
semester. Readings and cases will be posted to Blackboard if possible. If not, they will be handed
out in class.
PARTICIPATION and CLASS ASSIGNMENTS:
CLASS ATTENDANCE: The Entrepreneur Program is a real life experience and as such expects real
world professionals. The motto is “treat each other as you would a customer.” Therefore, tardiness
and absences without notice are not acceptable. If you have a customer meeting, you will be on time.
If you cannot be on time, you will call well in advance. Similar etiquette is required in this program.
Class attendance the night of a guest speaker is a mandatory requirement to submitting a Post
Class Paper. There are no make-ups or excuses.
Class participation:
Class participation is a critical element in the success of the course. Consequently, it is given equal
weight to one of the post class papers as follows:
100 points – student is highly engaged in class on a weekly basis contributing insightful questions and
thoughts.
75 points – student is moderately engaged in class on a periodic basis and occasionally contributes
insightful questions and thoughts.
25 points – student is somewhat engaged in class contributing obvious questions and thoughts.
0 points – student does not contribute in class.
BAEP 553 Cases in New Venture Management Fall 2015 Professor Mednick Page 6
CLASS GRADING
Class participation up to 100
5 Pre Class Papers
Required but not graded separately
5 Post Class Papers
200 points each; up to 5 submissions 1000
Rules of the Road 300
Presentation
4-minute individual/team presentation with PowerPoint slides 100
Total Points 1500
Note: additional presentation points may be offered throughout the semester to reward
individuals/teams presenting more than once. If and when offered, sign-ups will be taken on a first
come, first served basis.
BAEP 553 Cases in New Venture Management Fall 2015 Professor Mednick Page 7
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
MARSHALL SCHOOL OF BUSINESS
The Lloyd Greif Center for Entrepreneurial Studies
CONFIDENTIALITY POLICY
Throughout The Entrepreneur Program’s classes and events, students will be exposed to proprietary
information from other students, guest lecturers and faculty. It is the policy of The Entrepreneur
Program that all such information is to be treated as confidential.
By enrolling in and taking part in The Entrepreneur Program’s classes and activities, students agree
not to disclose this information to any third parties without specific written permission from students,
guest lecturers or faculty, as applicable. Students further agree not to utilize any such proprietary
information for their own personal commercial advantage or for the commercial advantage of any third
party.
In addition, students agree that any legal or consulting advice provided without direct fee and in an
academic setting will not be relied upon without the enlisted opinion of an outside attorney or
consultant, without affiliation to The Program.
Any breach of this policy may subject a student to academic integrity proceedings as described in the
University of Southern California University Governance Policies and Procedures as outlined in
SCampus, and to the remedies that may be available at law.
The Entrepreneur Program, the Marshall School of Business and the University of Southern California
disclaim any responsibility for the protection of intellectual property of students, guest lecturers or
faculty who are involved in The Entrepreneur Program classes or events.
Receipt of this policy and registration in our classes is evidence that you understand this policy and
will abide by it.
BAEP 553 Cases in New Venture Management Fall 2015 Professor Mednick Page 8
BAEP 553 – Cases in New Venture Management
DELIVERABLE DUE
Week 1 August 24
MODULE 1 PRE CLASS
EVENING LINE-UP
Class discussion:
Introduction to BAEP 553
Syllabus & course expectations
Student presentations & class discussion
Guest speaker: Helen Chen, Ph.D., Chief Operations Officer, Ambryx Biotechnology, Inc.
“How a young woman professional with a technical background successfully
navigates through the entrepreneurial world.”
Week 2 August 31
MODULE 1 POST CLASS
MODULE 2 PRE CLASS
EVENING LINE-UP
Student presentations & class discussion
Guest speaker: Ken Pavia, Founder, MMAagents
“Growing a business in a new industry segment.”
Week 3 September 7
Labor Day. No class.
Week 4 September 14
MODULE 2 POST CLASS
MODULE 3 PRE CLASS
EVENING LINE-UP
Student presentations & class discussion
Guest speaker: Carey Ransom, CEO, RealPractice
“The ‘organizational entrepreneur’ - scaling a stagnant company backed by
venture capital.”
BAEP 553 Cases in New Venture Management Fall 2015 Professor Mednick Page 9
Week 5 September 21
MODULE 3 POST CLASS
MODULE 4 PRE CLASS
EVENING LINE-UP
Student presentations & class discussion
Guest speaker: Gene Alexander, Ph.D., Founder & CEO, MaMoCa
“Launch to exit. Not what we planned for.”
Week 6 September 28
MODULE 4 POST CLASS
MODULE 5 PRE CLASS
EVENING LINE-UP
Student presentations & class discussion
Guest speaker: Tal Golan, serial entrepreneur and currently an employee at
Salesforce.com
“Can a serial entrepreneur find ‘happiness’ in a job in corporate America?”
Week 7 October 5
MODULE 5 POST CLASS
MODULE 6 PRE CLASS
EVENING LINE-UP
Student presentations & class discussion
Guest speaker: Steven Myers, Founder & Chairman Emeritus, Steven Myers & Associates
“Opportunity recognition.”
BAEP 553 Cases in New Venture Management Fall 2015 Professor Mednick Page 10
Week 8 October 12
MODULE 6 POST CLASS
RULES OF THE ROAD*
EVENING LINE-UP
Student presentations & class discussion
EVENING LINE-UP
Course evaluation
Student insights
Wrap-up.
* As a reminder, the Rules of the Road assignment must be submitted in hard copy and concurrently
posted to Blackboard.
BAEP 553 Cases in New Venture Management Fall 2015 Professor Mednick Page 11
APPENDIX
MBA PROGRAM POLICY GOVERNING NON-MARSHALL EVENTS THAT CONFLICT WITH CLASSES AND
REQUIRED ACADEMIC ACTIVITIES:
Attendance at all classes and required MBA Program and Career Resource Center activities is expected of every Marshall
MBA student. However, there are times during the academic year when external (non-Marshall) events and activities
conflict with regularly scheduled classes and academic requirements.
The MBA Program Office and the CRC use their influence to minimize (if not eliminate) these conflicts, especially those
that attract a substantial number of students. Despite the efforts of the Program Office and CRC, there are times
throughout the year when the scheduling of the external events is beyond the influence of the Program Office and CRC
and it is not possible to avoid a conflict.
MANAGING CONFLICTS
The Program Office and CRC will identify, as far in advance as possible and to the best of their ability, the dates of
external events and activities that draw a significant number of students. The Program Office will work with the
departments and individual faculty to make adjustments to the academic calendar in ways that minimize or eliminate
any conflict between these activities and normally scheduled academic requirements.
WHEN CONFLICTS OCCUR
When a conflict or overlap between an external activity and academic requirements cannot be avoided, the following
steps will be taken to address the issue:
The Program Office and CRC will generate a list of students who have expressed an interest in the event and who have
met the requirements and standards for participation. The Program Office will vet students for appropriate and
successful degree progress, academic probation, professional behavior and conduct. The CRC will review students for
successful completion of career services programs and training specific to the event and use of the CRC, appropriate
behavior with respect to employers and for overall professional behavior and conduct.
The Program Office and CRC will notify the faculty of the conflict. This notification will be sent as far in advance of the
conflict as possible and will include: a description of the event and a justification for student participation; the number
of students who have been approved to attend the event or activity who will miss the class; and, a deadline for faculty
response.
Faculty will decide whether or not the students may miss the academic requirement or class and communicate their
decision to the Program Office or CRC (not the students) by the established deadline.
The Program Office and CRC will notify the students of their eligibility to participate in the event and generate for each
faculty member affected by the event or activity, a list of students who have been approved to participate.
Please note: staff will not seek to over-ride the decision of the faculty. Students will be notified about their ability to
participate in the event by the Program Office and the CRC only after a decision by the faculty has been made.
If students are released from the class or activity, the students will be held responsible for the content and deliverables
missed as a result of their participation in an event outside of class.
If students are not released from the class or activity, the Program Office and CRC will notify the students that they are
not approved for the event and that their absence from class may negatively impact their grade and/or performance in
the class or activity.
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