Description
Within this particular brief paper concerning entrepreneurship in colorado competitive landscape september 2010.
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September 2010
Revised March 2011
Catherine Kunst, MBA, PhD
[email protected]
303-408-6511
Catherine Kunst Page 2
Contents
1 OVERVIEW 4
2 FOR-CREDIT PROGRAMS & COURSES 5
2.1 UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO - DENVER 6
2.2 UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO – BOULDER 7
2.3 UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO - COLORADO SPRINGS 11
2.4 UNIVERSITY OF DENVER 13
2.5 COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY 14
2.6 METRO STATE COLLEGE OF DENVER 15
2.7 COLORADO SCHOOL OF MINES 16
2.8 JOHNSON & WALES UNIVERSITY 17
3 BUSINESS INCUBATORS 19
3.1 BARD CENTER FOR ENTREPRENEURSHIP BUSINESS INCUBATOR 19
3.2 CLEANLAUNCH 20
3.3 COLORADO SCIENCE + TECHNOLOGY PARK AT FITZSIMONS 20
3.4 TECH STARS 22
3.5 START UP GURU 23
3.6 BOULDER INNOVATION CENTER (BIC) 24
3.7 ROCKY MOUNTAIN INNOVATION INITIATIVE (RMI2) 25
3.8 METRO STATE COLLEGE OF DENVER CENTER FOR INNOVATION 25
3.9 COLORADO SPRINGS TECHNOLOGY INCUBATOR 26
3.10 PUEBLO BUSINESS & TECHNOLOGY CENTER 26
3.11 THE METRO DENVER ENTERPRISE CENTER 27
3.12 BUSINESS INCUBATOR CENTER AT THE GRAND VALLEY CENTER FOR ENTREPRENEURSHIP 27
3.13 NORTHERN COLORADO FOOD INCUBATOR (NCFI) 28
4 START-UP FUNDING 29
4.1 RUTT BRIDGES VENTURE CAPITAL FUND AT THE BARD CENTER FOR ENTREPRENEURSHIP 29
4.2 DEMING CENTER VENTURE FUND 29
4.3 INNOVATION FUND AT METRO STATE COLLEGE OF DENVER 30
4.4 COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY 30
4.5 TECHSTARS 31
4.6 PROOF OF CONCEPT FUNDING 32
5 BUSINESS PLAN COMPETITIONS 33
5.1 UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO DENVER 33
5.2 UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO BOULDER 33
5.3 COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY 34
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5.4 METRO STATE COLLEGE OF DENVER 35
6 NON-DEGREE NON-CREDIT PROGRAMS 36
6.1 BIOBOOTCAMP 37
6.2 UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO DENVER 37
6.3 UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO BOULDER 37
6.4 UNIVERSITY OF DENVER 38
6.5 COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY 40
6.6 COLORADO SCHOOL OF MINES 41
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1 Overview
Nearly 80% of all new job creation in the United States is produced by new ventures and emerging growth
businesses; therefore, the organizations supporting the creation and growth of new business are critically
important to regional and national economic recovery.
In Colorado there are many university based resources that support entrepreneurial start-up endeavors including:
academic entrepreneurship centers, offices of technology transfer, business incubators, university run venture
capital funds, business plan competitions, Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs), law school clinics, and
entrepreneur- or venture capitalist-in-residence programs. Furthermore, there are numerous community based
programs that have similar offerings to those found in more traditional academic environments.
This competitive landscape analysis will focus on the following university based core activities that support
entrepreneurship in the region:
? For-Credit Courses
o degrees and certificates in entrepreneurial studies
? Business Incubators
? Venture Capital Funds
? Business Plan Competitions
? Non-Credit Courses
Others have approached this topic from different perspectives. The following two linked articles are among the
most comprehensive for different aspects of the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Colorado. Their material is not
duplicated in this landscape analysis.
Higher Education & Entrepreneurship in Colorado by Micah Schwalb on behalf of the Silicon Flatirons Center &
the Governor's Innovation Council
Summary: Campus communities and entrepreneurial clusters overlap and affect one another. This Report
examines entrepreneurial education led by Colorado’s colleges and universities as well as through specific
interactions between institutions of higher education and entrepreneurial clusters in Colorado.http://www.silicon-flatirons.org/do...y/SchwalbHigherEdEntrepreneurshipColorado.pdf
The Entrepreneurial University: What the University of Colorado has to learn from MIT and Stanford.
by Kaleb A. Sieh for The Silicon Flatirons Roundtable Series on Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Public Policy
Summary: Nationwide, there are a few universities with a commitment to supporting entrepreneurship that can
serve as examples. Notably, MIT and Stanford are two schools renowned for using the knowledge creation and
invention that takes place on their campuses to create high quality companies. In contrast, many schools do not
achieve such results, even with similar characteristics. This disparity raises the two questions addressed by the
roundtable: (1) what separates a university that engages in this process effectively--i.e., the "Entrepreneurial
University"--from the university that does not?; and (2) how can the University of Colorado- Boulder become an
Entrepreneurial University?http://www.silicon-flatirons.org/documents/publications/report/SiehEntrepreneurialUniversity.pdf
Catherine Kunst Page 5
2 For-Credit Programs & Courses
Most of the universities in Colorado offer specialized graduate and undergraduate curriculum in
Entrepreneurship. Several of these institutions have Entrepreneurship Centers and cross disciplinary programs
that emphasize entrepreneurship and innovation across disciplines. The major programs are summarized in Table
2.1.
Subsequent sections outline in more detail the unique features of the programs at the University of Colorado
Denver and competing institutions, especially those which are nationally ranked or have entrepreneurship
centers.
Table 2.1: Colorado Entrepreneurship Programs & Centers
University Accreditation
National
Ranking
Entrepreneurship Centers
Curriculum
Overview
University of
Colorado -Denver
Association to
Advance
Collegiate
Schools of
Business (AACSB)
International
N/A
Bard Center for
Entrepreneurship
15 graduate level
electives; Graduate
level certificate in
Entrepreneurship;
Undergraduate courses
University of
Colorado -Boulder
AACSB
71 (2010 US
news);
50 (2007 Wall
Street Journal);
93 (Undergrad:
Business Week)
Deming Center for
Entrepreneurship;
ATLAS (Alliance for
Technology, Learning and
Society) Institute;
Undergraduate
Certificate, MBA
electives; PhD; E-ship
program in school of
Engineering; ATLAS MS
program for Arts,
Media and
Entrepreneurship
University of
Colorado -Colorado
Springs
AACSB N/A
El Pomar Institute for
Innovation and
Commercialization (EPIIC)
Cross disciplinary
Bachelor's degree in
innovation &
entrepreneurship
Metro State College
of Denver
The Higher
Learning
Commission;
North Central
Association of
Colleges and
Schools
N/A Center for Innovation
Undergraduate Minor
in Entrepreneurship
Colorado State
University
AACSB
84 (Undergrad:
Business Week)
Center for
Entrepreneurship;
Global Innovation Center;
Center for the Advancement
of Sustainable Enterprise
Undergraduate
Certificate in
Entrepreneurship; MS
Global Social &
Sustainable Enterprise
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University Accreditation
National
Ranking
Entrepreneurship Centers
Curriculum
Overview
University of
Denver - Daniels
College of Business
AACSB
20 (2007 Wall
Street Journal);
74 (Undergrad:
Business Week)
MBA concentration in
Innovation and
Entrepreneurship (INE)
University of
Denver - Women's
College
The Higher
Learning
Commission;
North Central
Association of
Colleges and
Schools
N/A
Center for the Advancement
of Business Leadership and
Entrepreneurship (ABLE) for
Women
Undergraduate
courses;
Undergraduate
Certificate in
Entrepreneurial Studies
Fort Lewis College AACSB N/A -
Undergraduate Minor
in Entrepreneurship
University of
Northern Colorado
AACSB N/A
Colorado Business Resource
Center;
Small Business Development
Center
Undergraduate
Certificate in
Entrepreneurship
US Air Force
Academy
AACSB N/A -
Undergraduate
Technology Innovation
Program
Johnson & Wales
University
New England
Association of
Schools &
Colleges, Inc.
through its
Commission on
Institutions of
Higher Education
N/A
Undergraduate major
in Entrepreneurship
Colorado School of
Mines
The Higher
Learning
Commission;
North Central
Association of
Colleges and
Schools
N/A
Specialized courses for
technology
entrepreneurship
2.1 University of Colorado - Denver
The Richard H. and Pamela S. Bard Center for Entrepreneurship was founded in 1996 at the University of Colorado
Denver to foster economic development in Denver and the Rocky Mountain Region. The Bard Center offers a
variety of graduate level courses for entrepreneurship and a certificate in entrepreneurial studies. Undergraduate
courses are currently hosted by the Business School on the main campus.
There are several unique aspects to the Bard Center classes:
1. Courses for Corporate Entrepreneurship (Intrapreneurship) are available:
Catherine Kunst Page 7
a. Corporate Entrepreneurship and Innovation
b. Design and Manage New Entrepreneurial Organizations
2. Courses using Social Media and Online Games to deliver education are available:
a. Strategic Web Development
b. Virtual Entrepreneurship
3. Many of the classes are offered fully on-line or in a hybrid on-line/in classroom mix preferred by UC
Denver students.
A number of the ENTP electives at the Bard Center can be used to fulfill requirements for other MBA and MS
specializations.
? Managing for Sustainability: Business Planning for Social Entrepreneurs, Innovation in the Social Sector
and Sustainable Management Research.
? International Business: International Entrepreneurship
? Finance: Entrepreneurial Financial Management
Certificate in Entrepreneurial Studies at the Bard Center
Like many of the other schools in the area, the University of Colorado Denver offers a certificate in
entrepreneurial studies. At the Bard Center, the following graduate level courses are currently required to earn a
certificate:
1. At least one of the following ENTP courses:
? Fundamentals of Entrepreneurship (ENTP 6000)
? Entrepreneurial Financial Management (ENTP 6824)
? New Concept Development (ENTP 6842)
2. Capstone Business Plan Course:
? The Business Plan (ENTP 6020)
? Business Planning for Social Entrepreneurs (ENTP 6860)
3. Any ENTP 6000 elective or higher
2.2 University of Colorado – Boulder
The University of Colorado Boulder offers the most comprehensive academic program for entrepreneurship in the
state. While many of these offerings are at the Deming Center for Entrepreneurship at the Leeds School of
Business, there are many other programs with entrepreneurship curriculum at the University of Colorado Boulder.
Some of these programs partner with the Deming Center for Entrepreneurship at the Leeds School of Business
while others are hosted in other centers or schools.
E-Ship Program: Engineering Entrepreneurship Certificate
This undergraduate certificate from the school of Engineering is offered in partnership with the Deming Center for
Entrepreneurship. The focus of the Engineering Entrepreneurship certificate program is on how to launch, lead
and manage a viable business starting with concept validation to commercialization and business formation. The
program culminates with the development of a business plan for a project which is then pitched to business
community leaders and venture capitalists.
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ATLAS
The Alliance for Technology, Learning and Society (ATLAS), established in 1997, is a campus-wide entrepreneurial
catalyst and incubator for innovative interdisciplinary research, creative, educational and outreach programs that
are enabled by information and communication technology. Masters and PhD level programs are available and
are customized to admitted students.
The Entrepreneurship Center for Music at CU-Boulder provides training in communication, business, and
technical skills to music students and professional musicians, all within the context of a global music market.
Offerings include condensed workshops, internships, and courses for credit. From the basics of marketing to the
application of talent and training, the goal is to foster an entrepreneurial spirit and skills that yield a competitive
advantage. With the Center as a catalyst, music students and professionals alike can approach their career more
resourcefully, capable of creating successful opportunities that allow them to excel and prosper in their art.
The Silicon Flatirons Center at Colorado Law School
The Silicon Flatirons Center (SFC) focuses on entrepreneurship, innovation policy, and the law as they relate to
information communications technology (ICT). SFC oversees and operates a variety of ICT-related initiatives
designed to train and support entrepreneurs. Many of SFC’s offerings facilitate networking interactions between
CU- Boulder and the local entrepreneurial community; these programs are discussed elsewhere. SFC also trains
law students interested in law and entrepreneurship. Its offerings include an entrepreneurial law clinic (ELC) as
well as a certificate program offered to law students. The ELC provides free legal help to area start-up businesses.
The ELC differs from other entrepreneurship classes by training students to help entrepreneurs instead of helping
students become entrepreneurs. ELC students interact directly with clients on a variety of issues including entity
formation, intellectual property, employment, and contracts. Clients of the clinic include individual
entrepreneurs, start-up companies, professors, graduate students, and entrepreneurs with special needs, all of
whom receive free legal services. In order to receive a certificate entrepreneurial law, students must participate
in the ELC and several other classes so that students learn about issues typically faced by transaction-side lawyers
who work with entrepreneurs.
Undergraduate Certificate in Entrepreneurial Studies
The Certificate in Entrepreneurial Studies provides knowledge, understanding, and skills to create, organize, and
manage new ventures or small- to medium-sized and emerging growth businesses as independent entities, or
within corporate structures.
Undergraduate students enrolled full-time at the Leeds School of Business must complete three required
entrepreneurship courses, and an approved 60-hour internship with an entrepreneurial company. Finally,
candidates will have an oral exam with a panel of selected entrepreneurship faculty. Students who satisfactorily
complete the courses, internship, and pass the exam will be awarded the Certificate in Entrepreneurial Studies.
The required courses for the undergraduate certificate are:
? Entrepreneurial Environments (ESBM 3700)
? Entrepreneurial Finance (ESBM 4570)
? Business Plan Preparation (ESBM 4830)
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MBA Entrepreneurship Concentration
Students enrolled in the Leeds School of Business MBA program may follow a concentration in entrepreneurship.
This MBA concentration requires completion of these three courses:
? Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management
? Entrepreneurial Finance
? Business Plan Preparation
And one of the following elective courses:
? Sustainable Venturing
? Start Up Execution
? Projects with Entrepreneurial Companies
? Entrepreneurial Marketing
? Social Entrepreneurship for Emerging Markets
? An entrepreneurial law course (varies by year)
Ph.D. in Business Strategy & Entrepreneurship
The University of Colorado Boulder is the only school in the state offering a PhD in Entrepreneurship. The Ph.D.
program in Business Strategy & Entrepreneurship at CU-Boulder prepares students for a career in business
strategy & entrepreneurship research and teaching. Typically students perform two years of course work followed
by two years of dissertation work. Program deliverables include: comprehensive written and oral exams,
internship paper, successful defense of research proposal and dissertation.
Social Entrepreneurship
CU-Boulder has been selected as an Ashoka Changemaker Campus. Learn more about Ashoka on the Ashoka blog.
Curriculum Emphasis on Social Responsibility (CESR) is an academic program in the Leeds School of Business that
integrates business ethics and corporate social responsibility throughout the business curriculum. Hands-on
experiential learning for undergraduates is offered to juniors and seniors through two new elective course
entitled, 'Global Small Business: Learning through Service' and "Finding Business Opportunities in a Resource-
Challenged World".
An interdisciplinary, multi-generational group of faculty, graduate and undergraduate students- Social
Entrepreneurship for Equitable Development (SEED)@CU - is working on research relating social
entrepreneurship and sustainable community development in Nepal and Kenya. The findings from this research
are being incorporated into courses and seminars across campus.
Recently CU launched the Mortenson Center in Engineering for Developing Communities (MC-EDC), which will
expand the activities and reach of the six-year old Engineering for Developing Communities Program. The MC-
EDC promotes integrated and participatory solutions to humanitarian development . In many instances, the MC-
EDC projects link social entrepreneurial processes with efforts to solve technical community
problems. Engineering for Developing Communities is one of several Active Learning Opportunities and
Exploration Beyond the Classroom experiences available to students in the College of Engineering and Applied
Science at the University of Colorado at Boulder.
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The internationally recognized Engineers Without Borders-USA program was founded at CU-Boulder by MC-EDC
Executive Director Bernard Amadei. EWB-CU is an affiliated student organization and continues to draw a diverse
group of students to work on sustainable community development. The Deming Center social entrepreneurship
course is connects MBA students to EWB students.
Social entrepreneurship is an emerging field of study at CU. Graduate and Undergraduate Coursework and
extracurricular activities are available across a range of disciplines:
? ENTREPRENEURIAL ENVIRONMENTS (MBAX 6100) examines the environments of entrepreneurial firms
from start-up to development of ventures where the key element is learning the process of determining
the difference between ideas and commercializable opportunities through feasibility analysis and plans.
? SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP IN EMERGING MARKETS (MBAX 6845) looks at emerging economies of the
world that provide incredible opportunities for new avenues of profitable innovation for firms and
entrepreneurs. This course will increase awareness and understanding of these environments and help
evolve the skills needed to participate as entrepreneurs in these emerging opportunities.
? CROSS-CULTURAL ASPECTS OF SOCIOECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT (Anthropology 4500) examines goals of
international agencies that support development in underdeveloped countries
? GEOGRAPHIES OF GLOBAL CHANGE (Geography 2002) familiarizes students with spatial and ecological
perspectives on economic, political, social, cultural, and environmental changes; and examines roles of
transnational corporations, global media, world cities, food security, labor, migration, human rights,
ethnicity, nationalism, resources, environmental degradation, and sustainable development in global
change.
? ENTREPRENEURIAL LAW CLINIC (LAW 7619) allows law students to advise indigent clients who need legal
services in the founding of their business or not-for-profit firms, registering LLCs, and drafting
employment and intellectual property agreements.
? THE POLITICS OF IDEAS (PSCI 4751) examines theoretical arguments and case studies of interactions of
ideas, interests, and institutions in policymaking. Analyzes processes through which ideas come to the
public agenda, how institutional settings shape those ideas, and why some ideas and interests are more
successful.
Bioscience Entrepreneurship
The Deming Center for Entrepreneurship and the Leeds School are currently assessing opportunities to partner
with the new Colorado Initiative in Molecular Biotechnology, CU’s Biotech Initiative. Led by Nobel Laureate Dr.
Tom Cech, and Dr. Leslie Leinwand, the Biotech Initiative will focus on key research priorities, as well as seeking to
address the gap in education between ‘the bench and the bedside.’ Traditionally, the gap has been the business
skills and expertise that help bring transformational scientific research and medical breakthroughs through the
process of regulatory approval and commercialization. Professors from the Leeds School and the Biotech Initiative
are currently developing a plan for implementation of curriculum and other aspects of the collaboration.
Organic Business Initiative (OBI)
The Organic Business Initiative (OBI) began in 2007 to promote education and entrepreneurship in the
increasingly important area of natural and organic products and services, a key industry sector in the Boulder
community. Natural products and services have a significant impact on the Boulder area economy, contributing
approximately $2 billion annually. The mission of OBI is to foster entrepreneurial leaders, world-class scholarship
Catherine Kunst Page 11
and research in natural and organic business that result in sustainable business models and innovations that
inspire transformation across all sectors. Scholastically, OBI provides business school students a connected
learning environment by building bridges with the natural and organic business community through case-based
coursework, sustainability curriculum, mentorships and internships.
Sustainable Entrepreneurship
Renewable energy and clean technologies have been a focus of the Sustainable Entrepreneurship program since
its inception. CU Boulder was recently ranked number 6 in Top Ten Cleantech Universities by Sustainable World
Capital. The Deming Center partners with RASEI, the Renewable and Sustainable Energy Institute led by CU-
Boulder and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. Students may also pursue a Graduate Energy Certificate.
Required coursework includes: energy science and technology, policy, and business; electives on energy
economics, journalism. Interested students can also pursue a dual degree MBA/MS in Environmental Studies.
For Students: For Businesses:
• Energy Certificate Program
• CU Energy - the Student Alliance of RASEI
• Cleantech Venture Challenge
• RETool executive education programs in renewable
energy
• RASEI entrepreneurship and business development
Courses at the Leeds School integrating sustainability into business planning, operations, and strategy are
constantly expanding.
Current Business School Sustainability Courses Include:
? BUSINESS AND SOCIETY (MBAC 6000)
? SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS (MBAC 6825) - explores business strategy in response to (and anticipation of) the
threats and opportunities created by persistent problems of environmental degradation and related
economic market failures.
? INTRODUCTION TO SMART GROWTH AND SUSTAINABILITY (MBAX 6815) - explores the techniques,
processes, tools and capabilities required to effectively and creatively manage growth and land use
change in the light of the dramatic shifts beginning to transform the way we approach and even conceive
land use and development.
? SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS VENTURING (MBAX 6130) - focuses on environmentally sustainable business
ventures and businesses that solve natural environmental challenges while achieving profitability.
? ENTREPRENEURIAL STRATEGIES FOR EMERGING MARKETS (MBAX 6845) - The emerging economies of the
world provide incredible opportunities for new avenues of profitable growth and innovation for firms and
entrepreneurs. This course will increase understanding of these environments and help evolve the skills
needed to participate as entrepreneurs in these emerging opportunities.
Additionally, interdisciplinary offerings with fields such as engineering and environmental studies help broaden
students' understanding of how to design sustainable business systems.
2.3 University of Colorado - Colorado Springs
The University of Colorado – Colorado Springs offers an interdisciplinary program leading to a Bachelor of
Innovation (BI) degree. Students have the option of majoring in Business Administration, Computer Science,
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Computer Science Security, Electrical Engineering, or Game Design and Development. Each major leaves open the
opportunity for a cross discipline core from Business, Creative Communication, Engineering Technology or
Globalization. The undergraduate Business Administration major is AACSB accredited.
A Bachelor of Innovation
TM
in Business Administration provides students with both the business background and
skills of a classical Bachelor of Science in Business Administration plus the technical and team skills to work on
innovative projects. Learning goals include: (1) the ability to recognize the broader issues in engineering
technology-related problems or in global innovation problems; (2) the ability to understand business, legal, and
societal constraints affecting this technology; and (3) the ability to communicate key issues, needs, potential
options, and final solution to a challenge.
A sample curriculum is included below:
BI in Business Administration Sample Curriculum – Freshman Year
Fall Spring
? ENTP 1000-3 Introduction to Entrepreneurship
? ECON 1010-3 Introduction to Microeconomics
? ENGL 1310-3 Rhetoric & Writing I
? MATH 1040-3 College Algebra or 1110 Linear Algebra
? Innovation Elective-3 ID 1010 Approved Freshman
Seminar or Innovation related course approved by
advisor
? ECON 2020-3 Introduction to Macroeconomics
? MATH 1120-3 Calculus for Business & Economics
? ENGL 2090-3 Technical Writing and Presentation
? INOV 1010-3 The Innovation Process
? INFS 1100-3 MS Office Apps and Computer Basics
BI in Business Administration Sample Curriculum – Sophomore Year
Fall Spring
? ACCT 2010-3 Financial Accounting
? BLAW 2010-3 Business and Intellectual Property Law
? COMM 2010-3 Comm in Workplace or 2100 Public
Speaking
? QUAN 2010-3 Business Statistics
? INOV 2010-1 Innovation Team
? Cross Discipline Core - 3
? ACCT 2020-3 Managerial Accounting
? BUAD 3000-3 Integrated Skills for Management
? QUAN 2020-3 Process & Statistics-Based Decisions
? INOV 2100-3 Technical Writing, Proposals and
Presentations
? INOV 2020-1 Innovation Team
? Cross Discipline Core - 3
BI in Business Administration Sample Curriculum – Junior Year
Fall Spring
? FNCE 3050-3 Basic Finance
? MGMT 3300-3 Intro to Management & Organization
? MKTG 3000-3 Principles of Marketing
? INOV 3010-1 Innovation Team
? Open Elective-3
? Cross Discipline Core - 3
? INFS 3000-3 Intro to Mgmt Information Systems
? OPTM 3000-3 Fundamentals of Operations Mgmt
? Natural Science Elective – 3
? INOV 3020-2 Innovation Team
? Cross Discipline Core-3
? Writing Portfolio Submission (required, zero credit)
BI in Business Administration Sample Curriculum – Senior Year
Fall Spring
? BUAD 4000-3 Business, Government, & Society
? HUM 3990-3 Special Topics in Humanities
? Approved Business Elective-3
? INOV 4010-2 Innovation Team
? Cross Discipline Core-3
? ENTP 4500-3 Entrepreneurship and Strategy
? Social Science Elective-3
? Approved Business Elective-3
? INOV 4020-2 Innovation Team
? Open Elective-3 (upper division if Engineering Core)
Catherine Kunst Page 13
2.4 University of Denver
Entrepreneurship education is spread across several of the schools at the University of Denver (DU) including the
Daniels College of Business and the Women’s College.
At the undergraduate level, DU has established a Living and Learning Community for Creativity and
Entrepreneurship for students who want to convert their creativity into viable businesses. Students take three 2-
credit hour courses in the first year including business fundamentals and an experience in an entrepreneurial
business in the Denver area. Students then create a virtual business and ultimately host a catered event at the
School of Hotel Tourism and Restaurant Management.
The Women’s College
The Women’s College at DU offers an undergraduate Certificate in Entrepreneurial Studies. The goal of the
Entrepreneurial Studies Certificate is to prepare entrepreneurially minded women with the tools they need to
grow and sustain new or existing start-up businesses through the study and application of entrepreneurial theory
as well as fundamental business and professional skills and practices. Students in this program:
? Examine entrepreneurial theories, practices, models, and applications with a particular emphasis on
women
? Develop a comprehensive business plan
? Present their business plans to a panel of entrepreneurs and venture capitalists
? Develop the skills necessary to launch and manage a new venture
The Entrepreneurial Studies Certificate requires Entrepreneurial Concepts (ENT 3700) and four other electives
chosen from the following courses:
? Entrepreneurial Women (GWST 2605)
? Introduction to Marketing (MKTG 2805)
? Introduction to Financial Reporting (ACTG 2205)
? Financial Decision Making (FIN 2805)
? Foundations of Business Law (LGST 2005)
? Advanced Public Speaking (COMM 3500)
? Organizational Behavior (MGMT 2150)
? Global Social Entrepreneurship (MGMT 3700)
? Special Entrepreneurship Topics (ENT 2701)
Daniels College of Business
Daniels College of Business at DU offers an MBA concentration in Innovation and Entrepreneurship (INE).
Typically, INE students take the following four courses to complete the concentration:
? Opportunity and Feasibility (EVM 4350)
? Planning the New Venture (EVM 4351)
? Cases in Entrepreneurship (EVM 4700)
? Leading Innovation (EVM 4710)
However, students can substitute any of these courses as needed to fit their schedules and interests and still fulfill
the concentration in Innovation and Entrepreneurship:
? Social Entrepreneurship (EVM 4704)
? Independent Study (EVM 4991)
Catherine Kunst Page 14
? e-Business Entrepreneurship (ITEC 4700)
? Project Management (ITEC 4488)
? Business Plan (MGMT 4280)
2.5 Colorado State University
The College of Business at CSU’s Fort Collins campus and the Malik Seeme Hasan School of Business at CSU’s
Pueblo campus both offer entrepreneurship classes. The Center for Entrepreneurship in Fort Collins offers an
undergraduate certificate in entrepreneurship and a master’s program in entrepreneurship.
Students who complete the undergraduate certificate program have a number of benefits:
? Seven entrepreneur speakers each year
? Personal mentoring from the Entrepreneur in Residence
? Access to the feasibility fund for up to $10,000 of ‘next step’ funding
? Lifelong support for the College of Business Entrepreneurship Center
To complete an Entrepreneurship Certificate, students must take:
? Fundamentals of Entrepreneurship (MGT 34)
? New Venture Creation (MGT 420)
? one elective from this list:
o Innovation and Corporate Entrepreneurship (MGT 330)
o Social and Sustainable Venturing (MGT 360)
o New Venture Management (MGT 440)
The College of Business started the Global Social & Sustainable Enterprise (GSSE) Program, a specialized MBA
that takes 25 students per year (half domestic and half international) and trains them in social entrepreneurship
in part through an overseas stint focused on distribution. This concentration is in the business of creating a
better world, improving the lives of people, while building profitable ventures.
The GSSE Program is a highly structured full time 1.5 year program:
Fall Semester:
? ACCOUNTING FOR GLOBAL SUSTAINABLE ENTERPRISE (ACT 501: Basics of US and international financial
reporting and budgeting for business and non-profit organizations.)
? INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND PROJECT MANAGEMENT (CIS600: Strategic management of
information technology, project planning and implementation.)
? MARKETING FOR SOCIAL SUSTAINABLE ENTERPRISES (MKT601: Customer and stakeholder value creation
and capture. Marketing strategy with emphasis on issues of social and sustainable organizations.)
? GLOBAL SOCIAL SUSTAINABLE ENTREPRENEURSHIP (MGT667: Introduction to global challenges of
poverty, environmental degradation, and public health and the role of entrepreneurial management in
private and public sector approaches.)
? CONTEMPORARY ISSUES IN BUSINESS (BUS690: A series of seminars emphasizing current topics related to
the Global Social and Sustainable Enterprise. Topics may include: Leadership Across Cultures, Micro-
Finance, Ecological Perspectives for Business, and Marketing Research in Developing Countries.)
Spring Semester:
? FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT AND MARKETS (FIN601: Integrated coverage of financial management,
investments, and markets and institutions from the public, private, and non-profit perspective.)
Catherine Kunst Page 15
? BUSINESS DECISION MAKING (BUS601: Analysis and management of information; decision tools and
concepts)
? LEGAL AND ETHICAL ENVIRONMENT OF BUSINESS (Bus505: Legal and regulatory issues impacting business
operation. Ethical and social responsibility concepts applied to business setting.)
? DEVELOPMENT OF SOCIAL SUSTAINABLE ENTERPRISES (MGT668: Early stages of a new venture, including
creation of business plan. Additional study of social entrepreneurship and sustainable business strategies.
? CONTEMPORARY ISSUES IN BUSINESS (BUS690: Seminars on current topics related to the Global Social
and Sustainable Enterprise.)
Summer Semester:
? PRACTICUM/INTERNSHIP (BUS686/687: Summer fieldwork involving research, implementation planning,
and hands-on experience for student projects.)
Fall Semester:
? MANAGING IN A GLOBAL CONTEXT (MGT612: Global management and human resource development
issues and practices. Cross cultural issues in organizational behavior, recruitment, selection, training, and
compensation.)
? SUSTAINABLE ENTERPRISE FUNDING AND EVALUATION (MGT669: Funding social and sustainable
enterprises. Grant writing, venture philanthropy, angel investors, and venture capital. Project
development, evaluation, and execution.)
? INDEPENDENT/GROUP STUDY (BUS 695/696) or Thesis (BUS699): The Independent/Group Study for the
Plan B students will entail a final project, report, and presentations. The thesis option for Plan A students
involves a traditional research study.
? CONTEMPORARY ISSUES IN BUSINESS (BUS690: Seminars on current topics related to the Global Social
and Sustainable Enterprise.)
2.6 Metro State College of Denver
The Metro Center for Innovation offers a variety of undergraduate entrepreneurship classes. Students can elect to
earn a minor in entrepreneurship or a certificate. The Minor in Entrepreneurship helps students develop the
requisite business skills needed to build a successful start-up. The Certificate in Entrepreneurship is for members
of the Denver Metro community who want to study entrepreneurship, but do not want to pursue a Bachelor's
degree. The requirements are identical to that for the minor except that certificate students do not need to do an
internship to earn a certificate.
The following courses are required to complete a Minor or Certificate in Entrepreneurship:
? CREATIVE PROBLEM-SOLVING (CFI 1910) - This introductory course focuses on creative problem-solving
from an entrepreneurial perspective.
? NEW VENTURE FEASIBILITY (CFI 2910) - This course helps students determine whether their own
previously identified opportunities are suitable for the marketplace.
? INTERNSHIP (CFI 3980) - This course provides an advanced internship experience in a for-profit or non-
profit enterprise supervised by professionals on-the-job in the field of entrepreneurship.
? NEW VENTURE CREATION I (CFI 3910) - This course provides first-hand experience working alongside
entrepreneurs and facilitating the launch of student conceived business plans.
? NEW VENTURE CREATION II (CFI 3920) – continuation of New Venture Creation I.
? One Approved Elective
Catherine Kunst Page 16
Approved Electives for both programs include:
? ENTREPRENEURIAL PROMOTIONS (CFI 3930) - The course presents the entrepreneur with the
fundamental theories of marketing and selling a product or service.
? ETHICS AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP (CFI 1920) - This course presents theories and principles of ethics in two
contexts.
? ARTREPRENEURSHIP (CFI 3940) - This course is designed to give students the tools, techniques and
resources to turn their passion for art into a thriving business. Special consideration will be given to
traditional approaches to marketing, such as galleries, festivals, public venues and retail, as well as
emerging marketing channels like online direct sales, direct sales, business to business and online
galleries/representation.
2.7 Colorado School of Mines
The Colorado School of Mines does not have a formal business school or certificated program in
entrepreneurship. Instead they have a selection of entrepreneurial courses in their Engineering and Technology
Management (ETM) program for interested students. These include:
? TECHNOLOGY ENTREPRENEURSHIP (EBGN556) Introduces concepts related to starting and expanding a
technological-based corporation. Presents ideas such as developing a business and financing plan, role of
intellectual property, and the importance of a good R&D program.
? ENTREPRENEURIAL FINANCE (EBGN573) Entrepreneurial activity has been a potent source of innovation
and job generation in the global economy. In the U.S., the majority of new jobs are generated by new
entrepreneurial firms. This course focuses analyzing the unique financial issues which face
entrepreneurial firms and to develop a set of skills that has wide applications for such situations.
? MANAGING NEW PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT (EBGN564) Develops interdisciplinary skills required for
successful product development in today's competitive marketplace. Small product development teams
step through the new product development process in detail, learning about available tools and
techniques to execute each process step along the way.
? MARKETING FOR TECHNOLOGY-BASED COMPANIES (EBGN565) This class explores concepts and practices
related to marketing in this unique, fast-paced environment, including the defining characteristics of high-
technology industries; different types and patterns of innovations and their marketing implications; the
need for (and difficulties in) adopting a customer-orientation; tools used to gather marketing
research/intelligence in technology-driven industries; use of strategic alliances and partnerships in
marketing technology; adaptations to the "4 P's"; regulatory and ethical considerations in technological
arenas.
The Colorado School of Mines also hosts an annual Engineering Technology Management Seminar series that is
presented by their Executive in Residence. The ETM Seminar Series is designed to be interactive and practical,
exploring contemporary business issues and trends with a focus on the career implications for ETM professionals
within the global innovation environment. The topics are intended to provide context for many of the skills and
tools addressed in coursework for the ETM Master’s program. Overall, the purpose of the seminar series is to
enhance awareness about what professionals should expect in organizations and economies confronted with the
Catherine Kunst Page 17
new innovation economy realities, and how professionals must take ownership of their career, craft their
definition of success, and prepare for and be receptive to change.
Topics for 2010 included:
? Career Implications of Global Innovation
? The Value of Networking -Social Media & Professional Association
? Job Hunting – The Nuts and Bolts of Resumes and Interviewing.
? Executive Round Table – Q&A with Company Executives on ETM Careers and Managing Your own Future
? Becoming a Leader of Consequence – Personal Skills, Reputation and Measurement
? Organizational Implications - Technology Collaboration and Open Innovation Issues for Management
2.8 Johnson & Wales University
While not AACSB accredited, Johnson & Wales University has an extensive array of undergraduate
entrepreneurship classes in their Business programs. Students can graduate with a concentration in
entrepreneurship by completing any three of the following courses:
? Managerial Economics (ECON3030)
? Introduction to Entrepreneurship (ENTR1001)
? The Business Plan (ENTR2030)
? Financing the Entrepreneurial Venture (ENTR2040)
? Business Expansion Strategies and Tactics (ENTR3025)
? Global Entrepreneurship (ENTR4020)
Students can also choose Entrepreneurship as a major. Such students complete an n integrated mix of custom
entrepreneurial courses, traditional management and marketing classes, and extensive experiential opportunities
both in and out of the classroom, to prepare them for a career as a business starter and/or corporate
intrapreneur in an extensive variety of industries.
Students completing an Entrepreneurship major have access to a variety of business and entrepreneurship
focused courses:
? Business Accounting I and Lab (ACCT 1021)
? Business Accounting II and Lab (ACCT1022)
? Managerial Accounting (ACCT3023)
? Introduction to Entrepreneurship (ENTR1001)
? The Business Plan (ENTR2030)
? Financing the Entrepreneurial Venture (ENTR2040)
? Small Business Consulting (ENTR3010)
? Business Expansion Strategies and Tactics (ENTR3025)
? Global Entrepreneurship (ENTR4020)
? Marketing Research for Entrepreneurs (ENTR3030)
? Managing Change and Innovation (ENTR4010)
? Organizational Behavior (MGMT2020)
? Service and Production Operations Management (MGMT2030)
? Managerial Technology (MGMT3030)
? Strategic Management (MGMT4020)
? Principles of Marketing (MRKT1001)
Catherine Kunst Page 18
? Principles of Professional Selling (MRKT1011)
Students may elect to take a variety of other courses in business law, etc.
Catherine Kunst Page 19
3 Business Incubators
A variety of business incubators are available to entrepreneurs in Colorado. Many of these incubators partner
with or are run by Universities. Some of these, such as CleanLaunch or the Science and Technology Park at
Fitzsimons, support companies in a specific industry while others are less restrictive in focus.
Some but not all of the Colorado business incubators have joined the Colorado Business Incubator Association.
The Colorado Business Incubation Association (CBIA) is a 501c3 organization that provides a forum to share
resources, information, and best practices among business incubators and their supporters throughout the state.
Membership is open to incubator professionals, educators/students, economic developers, service providers, and
policy makers as well as individuals and organizations that support strengthening Colorado’s entrepreneurial
environment.
3.1 Bard Center for Entrepreneurship Business Incubator
The Bard Center Incubator at the University of Colorado Denver is open to early stage Colorado companies who
meet the admission criteria. There are 10 offices available for rent. The business incubation process is currently
overseen by a committee of Bard Center Advisory Council members with support of Bard Center staff. Businesses
from all industries relevant to Colorado’s economy are welcome to join the incubator. The office space is not
suitable for biotechnology research or manufacturing.
Admission Criteria*
• Executive Summary on Innovative Business Idea
• Growth strategy to exit incubator within 12 to 18 months
• Goals & objectives to execute strategy
• Successful interview(s) with Advisory Council member(s)
• Business must be consistent with the values of the University of Colorado.
*Preference given to University of Colorado (Faculty, Staff, Students, & Alumni) or Bard Center (e.g. Business Plan
Winner) affiliates
Incubation Process
• Matched to specific business mentor for optimal growth & success of the company
• Potential for meetings with mentors-in-residence for legal, accounting, public relations & others as
needed
• Quarterly updates on financial progress and goals toward meeting milestones to Incubation & Mentorship
Committee or Bard Center Advisory Council
• Access to Rutt Bridges Venture Capital Fund or Angel Investors in the Bard Center community
Office Amenities
• Furnished Offices
• Private Kitchen & Meeting Room
• Wireless and Wired Internet Service
• Nightly Cleaning Service
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• Moderate Fax/Copy Usage
• Scheduled use of shared conference and class rooms
Leasing Options (per month):
? 6 month lease to start
? Virtual - $150 (mailing address, use of shared
spaces up to 10 hrs per month)
? Small Office - $500
? Medium Office - $750
? Large Office - $1000
3.2 CleanLaunch
CleanLaunch is Colorado's Cleantech Incubator. The mission of CleanLaunch is to stimulate the development and
success of early-stage companies who will provide the next generation of clean, renewable, and efficient energy
technologies. CleanLaunch helps clean tech companies assemble solid management teams, secure adequate
funding, and accelerate the commercialization of sound product ideas into the market.
CleanLaunch provides:
? Business advisory services
? Fundraising preparation and introduction to investment capital providers
? Low-cost, turn-key office, industrial, and research space
Each applicant goes through an extensive review and each client must be approved by the CleanLaunch Board of
Directors. The goal is to select the companies which have tremendous potential but require assistance to realize
that potential.
CleanLaunch focus exclusively on clean technology, or clean tech, companies in the following sectors:
? Energy Generation (Wind, Solar, Biofuels, Geothermal)
? Energy Storage (Fuel Cells, Advanced Batteries, Hybrid Systems)
? Energy Infrastructure (Management, Transmission)
? Energy Efficiency (Controls, Lighting, Buildings, Glass)
? Transportation (Vehicles, Logistics, Fuels)
? Water & Wastewater (Water Treatment, Water Conservation, Wastewater Treatment)
? Air & Environment (Cleanup/Safety, Emissions Control, Monitoring/Compliance, Trading & Offsets)
? Manufacturing/Industrial (Advanced Packaging, Monitoring & Control, Smart Production)
? Agriculture (Natural Pesticides, Land Management, Aquaculture)
? Recycling & Waste (Recycling, Waste Treatment)
Currently CleanLaunch is located in the old CTEK Stapleton Business Incubator. However, CleanLaunch should be
relocated to the NREL campus by the end of 2010. CleanLaunch companies pay a monthly fee and may give up a
small equity stake (negotiated for each company) to CleanLaunch upon successful exit from the incubator.
3.3 Colorado Science + Technology Park at Fitzsimons
The Colorado Science and Technology Park at Fitzsimons is the result of a partnership between the Fitzsimons
Redevelopment Authority (FRA) and Forest City Enterprises.
With 184 acres of developable land and a full range of buy, lease and build-to-suit opportunities, the Fitzsimons
Life Science District lets a life science company find — or create from scratch — the perfect place for their
organization.
Catherine Kunst Page 21
There are several buildings on the campus with laboratory space pre-built in a variety of configurations including
fully equipped wet labs with short-term leasing arrangements, which allow companies to expand and contract as
their company growth requires. The different facilities have different amenities.
Bioscience Park Center
Bioscience Park Center is the primary business incubator with 15 pre-built labs, 21 executive office suites, and
many shared services and amenities spread over 60,000 square feet on three floors. Space agreements are
available in one-year terms with possible renewals. Incubator companies can make use of:
? A location adjacent to the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, with access to the core
laboratory facilities of the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus
? Home of the Fitzsimons BioBusiness Partners (FBBp) business development program
? Conference rooms with A/V equipment
? Kitchen and catering space
? Building-wide phone system
? High-speed internet
? Shared scientific and administrative equipment
? Event space
? Free Parking
? Outsource referral program
? Lab coat rental program
? Safety training
? Access to Fully furnished executive suites, including administrative support
Bioscience East
A 25,000-square-foot, single-story building offering:
? Newer bioscience lab space, including benches, biological and chemical fume hoods
? Private offices and cubicles, fully furnished
? Shared conference room with built-in A/V
? Shared kitchens and break rooms
? A location adjacent to the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, with access to the
university’s core labs
? Large dock area
? Enhanced HVAC and electrical systems
? Plenty of free parking
? Flexible lease terms
FBBp
Companies in the Colorado Science + Technology Park at Fitzsimons have access to the Fitzsimons BioBusiness
Partners (FBBp). To become a client, a brief overview in the form of a non-confidential 2 page Executive Summary
should be submitted to Dr. Michael Artinger ([email protected]). Following an initial review, an in person
meeting will be scheduled to allow a thorough discussion of the concept as well as provide a summary of FBBp’s
capabilities and processes.
Catherine Kunst Page 22
Upon acceptance of a client, the technology/company will receive guidance and support in identified priority
areas, such as:
? Company formation
? Business model development
? Technology assessment
? Research planning
? Market analysis
? Patent and competitive landscape evaluation
? Regulatory considerations
? Reimbursement issues
? Sales and marketing strategy
? Identifying management candidates
? Alliance development
? Fundraising
When appropriate, clients are rigorously prepared by the FBBp team to present to the Advisors, a group of local
and regional venture capitalists, angel investors, life science executives and domain experts. This provides an
excellent forum for FBBp clients to test assumptions and gauge general receptivity to the opportunity in a setting
similar to what they will encounter out on the road. Feedback from the Advisors is used to improve the Client’s
pitch as well as address any identified weaknesses prior to initiating national fundraising and partnering efforts,
where FBBp provides:
? Access to angel networks and seed funding, including identifying State-based funding for technologies
originating from Colorado universities
? Nation-wide venture sourcing
? Assistance with alliance development
? Identifying additional non-dilutive funding sources, such as small business (STTR/SBIR) grants from a
variety of sources, including NIH, NSF, DOD as well as philanthropic organizations
3.4 Tech Stars
TechStars is not a typical business incubator, but has many features in common with business incubators. While it
started in Boulder, CO, the TechStars program has now been replicated to New York City, Seattle and Boston.
TechStars is a mentorship-driven seed stage investment program. They run an annual three month long program
in Boston (MA), Boulder (CO), New York City (NY) and Seattle (WA). Hundreds of companies apply but only ten
companies per city are chosen each year. These companies get up to $18,000 in seed funding, three months of
intensive top-notch mentorship, and the chance to pitch to angel investors and venture capitalists at the end of
the program. More information.
In exchange for the TechStars program, seed funding, advice, mentorship, connections, and investor demo day,
TechStars receives a 6% equity stake in the mentored companies.
Since its inception in Boulder in 2007, TechStars has invested in 60 companies. As of May 2010, TechStars has
already developed an impressive track record.
Catherine Kunst Page 23
Success of TechStars Companies
Status Number of Companies Percentage
Active 27 69.24%
Acquired > $2M 5 12.82%
Acquired
Within this particular brief paper concerning entrepreneurship in colorado competitive landscape september 2010.
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Revised March 2011
Catherine Kunst, MBA, PhD
[email protected]
303-408-6511
Catherine Kunst Page 2
Contents
1 OVERVIEW 4
2 FOR-CREDIT PROGRAMS & COURSES 5
2.1 UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO - DENVER 6
2.2 UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO – BOULDER 7
2.3 UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO - COLORADO SPRINGS 11
2.4 UNIVERSITY OF DENVER 13
2.5 COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY 14
2.6 METRO STATE COLLEGE OF DENVER 15
2.7 COLORADO SCHOOL OF MINES 16
2.8 JOHNSON & WALES UNIVERSITY 17
3 BUSINESS INCUBATORS 19
3.1 BARD CENTER FOR ENTREPRENEURSHIP BUSINESS INCUBATOR 19
3.2 CLEANLAUNCH 20
3.3 COLORADO SCIENCE + TECHNOLOGY PARK AT FITZSIMONS 20
3.4 TECH STARS 22
3.5 START UP GURU 23
3.6 BOULDER INNOVATION CENTER (BIC) 24
3.7 ROCKY MOUNTAIN INNOVATION INITIATIVE (RMI2) 25
3.8 METRO STATE COLLEGE OF DENVER CENTER FOR INNOVATION 25
3.9 COLORADO SPRINGS TECHNOLOGY INCUBATOR 26
3.10 PUEBLO BUSINESS & TECHNOLOGY CENTER 26
3.11 THE METRO DENVER ENTERPRISE CENTER 27
3.12 BUSINESS INCUBATOR CENTER AT THE GRAND VALLEY CENTER FOR ENTREPRENEURSHIP 27
3.13 NORTHERN COLORADO FOOD INCUBATOR (NCFI) 28
4 START-UP FUNDING 29
4.1 RUTT BRIDGES VENTURE CAPITAL FUND AT THE BARD CENTER FOR ENTREPRENEURSHIP 29
4.2 DEMING CENTER VENTURE FUND 29
4.3 INNOVATION FUND AT METRO STATE COLLEGE OF DENVER 30
4.4 COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY 30
4.5 TECHSTARS 31
4.6 PROOF OF CONCEPT FUNDING 32
5 BUSINESS PLAN COMPETITIONS 33
5.1 UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO DENVER 33
5.2 UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO BOULDER 33
5.3 COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY 34
Catherine Kunst Page 3
5.4 METRO STATE COLLEGE OF DENVER 35
6 NON-DEGREE NON-CREDIT PROGRAMS 36
6.1 BIOBOOTCAMP 37
6.2 UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO DENVER 37
6.3 UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO BOULDER 37
6.4 UNIVERSITY OF DENVER 38
6.5 COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY 40
6.6 COLORADO SCHOOL OF MINES 41
Catherine Kunst Page 4
1 Overview
Nearly 80% of all new job creation in the United States is produced by new ventures and emerging growth
businesses; therefore, the organizations supporting the creation and growth of new business are critically
important to regional and national economic recovery.
In Colorado there are many university based resources that support entrepreneurial start-up endeavors including:
academic entrepreneurship centers, offices of technology transfer, business incubators, university run venture
capital funds, business plan competitions, Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs), law school clinics, and
entrepreneur- or venture capitalist-in-residence programs. Furthermore, there are numerous community based
programs that have similar offerings to those found in more traditional academic environments.
This competitive landscape analysis will focus on the following university based core activities that support
entrepreneurship in the region:
? For-Credit Courses
o degrees and certificates in entrepreneurial studies
? Business Incubators
? Venture Capital Funds
? Business Plan Competitions
? Non-Credit Courses
Others have approached this topic from different perspectives. The following two linked articles are among the
most comprehensive for different aspects of the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Colorado. Their material is not
duplicated in this landscape analysis.
Higher Education & Entrepreneurship in Colorado by Micah Schwalb on behalf of the Silicon Flatirons Center &
the Governor's Innovation Council
Summary: Campus communities and entrepreneurial clusters overlap and affect one another. This Report
examines entrepreneurial education led by Colorado’s colleges and universities as well as through specific
interactions between institutions of higher education and entrepreneurial clusters in Colorado.http://www.silicon-flatirons.org/do...y/SchwalbHigherEdEntrepreneurshipColorado.pdf
The Entrepreneurial University: What the University of Colorado has to learn from MIT and Stanford.
by Kaleb A. Sieh for The Silicon Flatirons Roundtable Series on Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Public Policy
Summary: Nationwide, there are a few universities with a commitment to supporting entrepreneurship that can
serve as examples. Notably, MIT and Stanford are two schools renowned for using the knowledge creation and
invention that takes place on their campuses to create high quality companies. In contrast, many schools do not
achieve such results, even with similar characteristics. This disparity raises the two questions addressed by the
roundtable: (1) what separates a university that engages in this process effectively--i.e., the "Entrepreneurial
University"--from the university that does not?; and (2) how can the University of Colorado- Boulder become an
Entrepreneurial University?http://www.silicon-flatirons.org/documents/publications/report/SiehEntrepreneurialUniversity.pdf
Catherine Kunst Page 5
2 For-Credit Programs & Courses
Most of the universities in Colorado offer specialized graduate and undergraduate curriculum in
Entrepreneurship. Several of these institutions have Entrepreneurship Centers and cross disciplinary programs
that emphasize entrepreneurship and innovation across disciplines. The major programs are summarized in Table
2.1.
Subsequent sections outline in more detail the unique features of the programs at the University of Colorado
Denver and competing institutions, especially those which are nationally ranked or have entrepreneurship
centers.
Table 2.1: Colorado Entrepreneurship Programs & Centers
University Accreditation
National
Ranking
Entrepreneurship Centers
Curriculum
Overview
University of
Colorado -Denver
Association to
Advance
Collegiate
Schools of
Business (AACSB)
International
N/A
Bard Center for
Entrepreneurship
15 graduate level
electives; Graduate
level certificate in
Entrepreneurship;
Undergraduate courses
University of
Colorado -Boulder
AACSB
71 (2010 US
news);
50 (2007 Wall
Street Journal);
93 (Undergrad:
Business Week)
Deming Center for
Entrepreneurship;
ATLAS (Alliance for
Technology, Learning and
Society) Institute;
Undergraduate
Certificate, MBA
electives; PhD; E-ship
program in school of
Engineering; ATLAS MS
program for Arts,
Media and
Entrepreneurship
University of
Colorado -Colorado
Springs
AACSB N/A
El Pomar Institute for
Innovation and
Commercialization (EPIIC)
Cross disciplinary
Bachelor's degree in
innovation &
entrepreneurship
Metro State College
of Denver
The Higher
Learning
Commission;
North Central
Association of
Colleges and
Schools
N/A Center for Innovation
Undergraduate Minor
in Entrepreneurship
Colorado State
University
AACSB
84 (Undergrad:
Business Week)
Center for
Entrepreneurship;
Global Innovation Center;
Center for the Advancement
of Sustainable Enterprise
Undergraduate
Certificate in
Entrepreneurship; MS
Global Social &
Sustainable Enterprise
Catherine Kunst Page 6
University Accreditation
National
Ranking
Entrepreneurship Centers
Curriculum
Overview
University of
Denver - Daniels
College of Business
AACSB
20 (2007 Wall
Street Journal);
74 (Undergrad:
Business Week)
MBA concentration in
Innovation and
Entrepreneurship (INE)
University of
Denver - Women's
College
The Higher
Learning
Commission;
North Central
Association of
Colleges and
Schools
N/A
Center for the Advancement
of Business Leadership and
Entrepreneurship (ABLE) for
Women
Undergraduate
courses;
Undergraduate
Certificate in
Entrepreneurial Studies
Fort Lewis College AACSB N/A -
Undergraduate Minor
in Entrepreneurship
University of
Northern Colorado
AACSB N/A
Colorado Business Resource
Center;
Small Business Development
Center
Undergraduate
Certificate in
Entrepreneurship
US Air Force
Academy
AACSB N/A -
Undergraduate
Technology Innovation
Program
Johnson & Wales
University
New England
Association of
Schools &
Colleges, Inc.
through its
Commission on
Institutions of
Higher Education
N/A
Undergraduate major
in Entrepreneurship
Colorado School of
Mines
The Higher
Learning
Commission;
North Central
Association of
Colleges and
Schools
N/A
Specialized courses for
technology
entrepreneurship
2.1 University of Colorado - Denver
The Richard H. and Pamela S. Bard Center for Entrepreneurship was founded in 1996 at the University of Colorado
Denver to foster economic development in Denver and the Rocky Mountain Region. The Bard Center offers a
variety of graduate level courses for entrepreneurship and a certificate in entrepreneurial studies. Undergraduate
courses are currently hosted by the Business School on the main campus.
There are several unique aspects to the Bard Center classes:
1. Courses for Corporate Entrepreneurship (Intrapreneurship) are available:
Catherine Kunst Page 7
a. Corporate Entrepreneurship and Innovation
b. Design and Manage New Entrepreneurial Organizations
2. Courses using Social Media and Online Games to deliver education are available:
a. Strategic Web Development
b. Virtual Entrepreneurship
3. Many of the classes are offered fully on-line or in a hybrid on-line/in classroom mix preferred by UC
Denver students.
A number of the ENTP electives at the Bard Center can be used to fulfill requirements for other MBA and MS
specializations.
? Managing for Sustainability: Business Planning for Social Entrepreneurs, Innovation in the Social Sector
and Sustainable Management Research.
? International Business: International Entrepreneurship
? Finance: Entrepreneurial Financial Management
Certificate in Entrepreneurial Studies at the Bard Center
Like many of the other schools in the area, the University of Colorado Denver offers a certificate in
entrepreneurial studies. At the Bard Center, the following graduate level courses are currently required to earn a
certificate:
1. At least one of the following ENTP courses:
? Fundamentals of Entrepreneurship (ENTP 6000)
? Entrepreneurial Financial Management (ENTP 6824)
? New Concept Development (ENTP 6842)
2. Capstone Business Plan Course:
? The Business Plan (ENTP 6020)
? Business Planning for Social Entrepreneurs (ENTP 6860)
3. Any ENTP 6000 elective or higher
2.2 University of Colorado – Boulder
The University of Colorado Boulder offers the most comprehensive academic program for entrepreneurship in the
state. While many of these offerings are at the Deming Center for Entrepreneurship at the Leeds School of
Business, there are many other programs with entrepreneurship curriculum at the University of Colorado Boulder.
Some of these programs partner with the Deming Center for Entrepreneurship at the Leeds School of Business
while others are hosted in other centers or schools.
E-Ship Program: Engineering Entrepreneurship Certificate
This undergraduate certificate from the school of Engineering is offered in partnership with the Deming Center for
Entrepreneurship. The focus of the Engineering Entrepreneurship certificate program is on how to launch, lead
and manage a viable business starting with concept validation to commercialization and business formation. The
program culminates with the development of a business plan for a project which is then pitched to business
community leaders and venture capitalists.
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ATLAS
The Alliance for Technology, Learning and Society (ATLAS), established in 1997, is a campus-wide entrepreneurial
catalyst and incubator for innovative interdisciplinary research, creative, educational and outreach programs that
are enabled by information and communication technology. Masters and PhD level programs are available and
are customized to admitted students.
The Entrepreneurship Center for Music at CU-Boulder provides training in communication, business, and
technical skills to music students and professional musicians, all within the context of a global music market.
Offerings include condensed workshops, internships, and courses for credit. From the basics of marketing to the
application of talent and training, the goal is to foster an entrepreneurial spirit and skills that yield a competitive
advantage. With the Center as a catalyst, music students and professionals alike can approach their career more
resourcefully, capable of creating successful opportunities that allow them to excel and prosper in their art.
The Silicon Flatirons Center at Colorado Law School
The Silicon Flatirons Center (SFC) focuses on entrepreneurship, innovation policy, and the law as they relate to
information communications technology (ICT). SFC oversees and operates a variety of ICT-related initiatives
designed to train and support entrepreneurs. Many of SFC’s offerings facilitate networking interactions between
CU- Boulder and the local entrepreneurial community; these programs are discussed elsewhere. SFC also trains
law students interested in law and entrepreneurship. Its offerings include an entrepreneurial law clinic (ELC) as
well as a certificate program offered to law students. The ELC provides free legal help to area start-up businesses.
The ELC differs from other entrepreneurship classes by training students to help entrepreneurs instead of helping
students become entrepreneurs. ELC students interact directly with clients on a variety of issues including entity
formation, intellectual property, employment, and contracts. Clients of the clinic include individual
entrepreneurs, start-up companies, professors, graduate students, and entrepreneurs with special needs, all of
whom receive free legal services. In order to receive a certificate entrepreneurial law, students must participate
in the ELC and several other classes so that students learn about issues typically faced by transaction-side lawyers
who work with entrepreneurs.
Undergraduate Certificate in Entrepreneurial Studies
The Certificate in Entrepreneurial Studies provides knowledge, understanding, and skills to create, organize, and
manage new ventures or small- to medium-sized and emerging growth businesses as independent entities, or
within corporate structures.
Undergraduate students enrolled full-time at the Leeds School of Business must complete three required
entrepreneurship courses, and an approved 60-hour internship with an entrepreneurial company. Finally,
candidates will have an oral exam with a panel of selected entrepreneurship faculty. Students who satisfactorily
complete the courses, internship, and pass the exam will be awarded the Certificate in Entrepreneurial Studies.
The required courses for the undergraduate certificate are:
? Entrepreneurial Environments (ESBM 3700)
? Entrepreneurial Finance (ESBM 4570)
? Business Plan Preparation (ESBM 4830)
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MBA Entrepreneurship Concentration
Students enrolled in the Leeds School of Business MBA program may follow a concentration in entrepreneurship.
This MBA concentration requires completion of these three courses:
? Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management
? Entrepreneurial Finance
? Business Plan Preparation
And one of the following elective courses:
? Sustainable Venturing
? Start Up Execution
? Projects with Entrepreneurial Companies
? Entrepreneurial Marketing
? Social Entrepreneurship for Emerging Markets
? An entrepreneurial law course (varies by year)
Ph.D. in Business Strategy & Entrepreneurship
The University of Colorado Boulder is the only school in the state offering a PhD in Entrepreneurship. The Ph.D.
program in Business Strategy & Entrepreneurship at CU-Boulder prepares students for a career in business
strategy & entrepreneurship research and teaching. Typically students perform two years of course work followed
by two years of dissertation work. Program deliverables include: comprehensive written and oral exams,
internship paper, successful defense of research proposal and dissertation.
Social Entrepreneurship
CU-Boulder has been selected as an Ashoka Changemaker Campus. Learn more about Ashoka on the Ashoka blog.
Curriculum Emphasis on Social Responsibility (CESR) is an academic program in the Leeds School of Business that
integrates business ethics and corporate social responsibility throughout the business curriculum. Hands-on
experiential learning for undergraduates is offered to juniors and seniors through two new elective course
entitled, 'Global Small Business: Learning through Service' and "Finding Business Opportunities in a Resource-
Challenged World".
An interdisciplinary, multi-generational group of faculty, graduate and undergraduate students- Social
Entrepreneurship for Equitable Development (SEED)@CU - is working on research relating social
entrepreneurship and sustainable community development in Nepal and Kenya. The findings from this research
are being incorporated into courses and seminars across campus.
Recently CU launched the Mortenson Center in Engineering for Developing Communities (MC-EDC), which will
expand the activities and reach of the six-year old Engineering for Developing Communities Program. The MC-
EDC promotes integrated and participatory solutions to humanitarian development . In many instances, the MC-
EDC projects link social entrepreneurial processes with efforts to solve technical community
problems. Engineering for Developing Communities is one of several Active Learning Opportunities and
Exploration Beyond the Classroom experiences available to students in the College of Engineering and Applied
Science at the University of Colorado at Boulder.
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The internationally recognized Engineers Without Borders-USA program was founded at CU-Boulder by MC-EDC
Executive Director Bernard Amadei. EWB-CU is an affiliated student organization and continues to draw a diverse
group of students to work on sustainable community development. The Deming Center social entrepreneurship
course is connects MBA students to EWB students.
Social entrepreneurship is an emerging field of study at CU. Graduate and Undergraduate Coursework and
extracurricular activities are available across a range of disciplines:
? ENTREPRENEURIAL ENVIRONMENTS (MBAX 6100) examines the environments of entrepreneurial firms
from start-up to development of ventures where the key element is learning the process of determining
the difference between ideas and commercializable opportunities through feasibility analysis and plans.
? SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP IN EMERGING MARKETS (MBAX 6845) looks at emerging economies of the
world that provide incredible opportunities for new avenues of profitable innovation for firms and
entrepreneurs. This course will increase awareness and understanding of these environments and help
evolve the skills needed to participate as entrepreneurs in these emerging opportunities.
? CROSS-CULTURAL ASPECTS OF SOCIOECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT (Anthropology 4500) examines goals of
international agencies that support development in underdeveloped countries
? GEOGRAPHIES OF GLOBAL CHANGE (Geography 2002) familiarizes students with spatial and ecological
perspectives on economic, political, social, cultural, and environmental changes; and examines roles of
transnational corporations, global media, world cities, food security, labor, migration, human rights,
ethnicity, nationalism, resources, environmental degradation, and sustainable development in global
change.
? ENTREPRENEURIAL LAW CLINIC (LAW 7619) allows law students to advise indigent clients who need legal
services in the founding of their business or not-for-profit firms, registering LLCs, and drafting
employment and intellectual property agreements.
? THE POLITICS OF IDEAS (PSCI 4751) examines theoretical arguments and case studies of interactions of
ideas, interests, and institutions in policymaking. Analyzes processes through which ideas come to the
public agenda, how institutional settings shape those ideas, and why some ideas and interests are more
successful.
Bioscience Entrepreneurship
The Deming Center for Entrepreneurship and the Leeds School are currently assessing opportunities to partner
with the new Colorado Initiative in Molecular Biotechnology, CU’s Biotech Initiative. Led by Nobel Laureate Dr.
Tom Cech, and Dr. Leslie Leinwand, the Biotech Initiative will focus on key research priorities, as well as seeking to
address the gap in education between ‘the bench and the bedside.’ Traditionally, the gap has been the business
skills and expertise that help bring transformational scientific research and medical breakthroughs through the
process of regulatory approval and commercialization. Professors from the Leeds School and the Biotech Initiative
are currently developing a plan for implementation of curriculum and other aspects of the collaboration.
Organic Business Initiative (OBI)
The Organic Business Initiative (OBI) began in 2007 to promote education and entrepreneurship in the
increasingly important area of natural and organic products and services, a key industry sector in the Boulder
community. Natural products and services have a significant impact on the Boulder area economy, contributing
approximately $2 billion annually. The mission of OBI is to foster entrepreneurial leaders, world-class scholarship
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and research in natural and organic business that result in sustainable business models and innovations that
inspire transformation across all sectors. Scholastically, OBI provides business school students a connected
learning environment by building bridges with the natural and organic business community through case-based
coursework, sustainability curriculum, mentorships and internships.
Sustainable Entrepreneurship
Renewable energy and clean technologies have been a focus of the Sustainable Entrepreneurship program since
its inception. CU Boulder was recently ranked number 6 in Top Ten Cleantech Universities by Sustainable World
Capital. The Deming Center partners with RASEI, the Renewable and Sustainable Energy Institute led by CU-
Boulder and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. Students may also pursue a Graduate Energy Certificate.
Required coursework includes: energy science and technology, policy, and business; electives on energy
economics, journalism. Interested students can also pursue a dual degree MBA/MS in Environmental Studies.
For Students: For Businesses:
• Energy Certificate Program
• CU Energy - the Student Alliance of RASEI
• Cleantech Venture Challenge
• RETool executive education programs in renewable
energy
• RASEI entrepreneurship and business development
Courses at the Leeds School integrating sustainability into business planning, operations, and strategy are
constantly expanding.
Current Business School Sustainability Courses Include:
? BUSINESS AND SOCIETY (MBAC 6000)
? SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS (MBAC 6825) - explores business strategy in response to (and anticipation of) the
threats and opportunities created by persistent problems of environmental degradation and related
economic market failures.
? INTRODUCTION TO SMART GROWTH AND SUSTAINABILITY (MBAX 6815) - explores the techniques,
processes, tools and capabilities required to effectively and creatively manage growth and land use
change in the light of the dramatic shifts beginning to transform the way we approach and even conceive
land use and development.
? SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS VENTURING (MBAX 6130) - focuses on environmentally sustainable business
ventures and businesses that solve natural environmental challenges while achieving profitability.
? ENTREPRENEURIAL STRATEGIES FOR EMERGING MARKETS (MBAX 6845) - The emerging economies of the
world provide incredible opportunities for new avenues of profitable growth and innovation for firms and
entrepreneurs. This course will increase understanding of these environments and help evolve the skills
needed to participate as entrepreneurs in these emerging opportunities.
Additionally, interdisciplinary offerings with fields such as engineering and environmental studies help broaden
students' understanding of how to design sustainable business systems.
2.3 University of Colorado - Colorado Springs
The University of Colorado – Colorado Springs offers an interdisciplinary program leading to a Bachelor of
Innovation (BI) degree. Students have the option of majoring in Business Administration, Computer Science,
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Computer Science Security, Electrical Engineering, or Game Design and Development. Each major leaves open the
opportunity for a cross discipline core from Business, Creative Communication, Engineering Technology or
Globalization. The undergraduate Business Administration major is AACSB accredited.
A Bachelor of Innovation
TM
in Business Administration provides students with both the business background and
skills of a classical Bachelor of Science in Business Administration plus the technical and team skills to work on
innovative projects. Learning goals include: (1) the ability to recognize the broader issues in engineering
technology-related problems or in global innovation problems; (2) the ability to understand business, legal, and
societal constraints affecting this technology; and (3) the ability to communicate key issues, needs, potential
options, and final solution to a challenge.
A sample curriculum is included below:
BI in Business Administration Sample Curriculum – Freshman Year
Fall Spring
? ENTP 1000-3 Introduction to Entrepreneurship
? ECON 1010-3 Introduction to Microeconomics
? ENGL 1310-3 Rhetoric & Writing I
? MATH 1040-3 College Algebra or 1110 Linear Algebra
? Innovation Elective-3 ID 1010 Approved Freshman
Seminar or Innovation related course approved by
advisor
? ECON 2020-3 Introduction to Macroeconomics
? MATH 1120-3 Calculus for Business & Economics
? ENGL 2090-3 Technical Writing and Presentation
? INOV 1010-3 The Innovation Process
? INFS 1100-3 MS Office Apps and Computer Basics
BI in Business Administration Sample Curriculum – Sophomore Year
Fall Spring
? ACCT 2010-3 Financial Accounting
? BLAW 2010-3 Business and Intellectual Property Law
? COMM 2010-3 Comm in Workplace or 2100 Public
Speaking
? QUAN 2010-3 Business Statistics
? INOV 2010-1 Innovation Team
? Cross Discipline Core - 3
? ACCT 2020-3 Managerial Accounting
? BUAD 3000-3 Integrated Skills for Management
? QUAN 2020-3 Process & Statistics-Based Decisions
? INOV 2100-3 Technical Writing, Proposals and
Presentations
? INOV 2020-1 Innovation Team
? Cross Discipline Core - 3
BI in Business Administration Sample Curriculum – Junior Year
Fall Spring
? FNCE 3050-3 Basic Finance
? MGMT 3300-3 Intro to Management & Organization
? MKTG 3000-3 Principles of Marketing
? INOV 3010-1 Innovation Team
? Open Elective-3
? Cross Discipline Core - 3
? INFS 3000-3 Intro to Mgmt Information Systems
? OPTM 3000-3 Fundamentals of Operations Mgmt
? Natural Science Elective – 3
? INOV 3020-2 Innovation Team
? Cross Discipline Core-3
? Writing Portfolio Submission (required, zero credit)
BI in Business Administration Sample Curriculum – Senior Year
Fall Spring
? BUAD 4000-3 Business, Government, & Society
? HUM 3990-3 Special Topics in Humanities
? Approved Business Elective-3
? INOV 4010-2 Innovation Team
? Cross Discipline Core-3
? ENTP 4500-3 Entrepreneurship and Strategy
? Social Science Elective-3
? Approved Business Elective-3
? INOV 4020-2 Innovation Team
? Open Elective-3 (upper division if Engineering Core)
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2.4 University of Denver
Entrepreneurship education is spread across several of the schools at the University of Denver (DU) including the
Daniels College of Business and the Women’s College.
At the undergraduate level, DU has established a Living and Learning Community for Creativity and
Entrepreneurship for students who want to convert their creativity into viable businesses. Students take three 2-
credit hour courses in the first year including business fundamentals and an experience in an entrepreneurial
business in the Denver area. Students then create a virtual business and ultimately host a catered event at the
School of Hotel Tourism and Restaurant Management.
The Women’s College
The Women’s College at DU offers an undergraduate Certificate in Entrepreneurial Studies. The goal of the
Entrepreneurial Studies Certificate is to prepare entrepreneurially minded women with the tools they need to
grow and sustain new or existing start-up businesses through the study and application of entrepreneurial theory
as well as fundamental business and professional skills and practices. Students in this program:
? Examine entrepreneurial theories, practices, models, and applications with a particular emphasis on
women
? Develop a comprehensive business plan
? Present their business plans to a panel of entrepreneurs and venture capitalists
? Develop the skills necessary to launch and manage a new venture
The Entrepreneurial Studies Certificate requires Entrepreneurial Concepts (ENT 3700) and four other electives
chosen from the following courses:
? Entrepreneurial Women (GWST 2605)
? Introduction to Marketing (MKTG 2805)
? Introduction to Financial Reporting (ACTG 2205)
? Financial Decision Making (FIN 2805)
? Foundations of Business Law (LGST 2005)
? Advanced Public Speaking (COMM 3500)
? Organizational Behavior (MGMT 2150)
? Global Social Entrepreneurship (MGMT 3700)
? Special Entrepreneurship Topics (ENT 2701)
Daniels College of Business
Daniels College of Business at DU offers an MBA concentration in Innovation and Entrepreneurship (INE).
Typically, INE students take the following four courses to complete the concentration:
? Opportunity and Feasibility (EVM 4350)
? Planning the New Venture (EVM 4351)
? Cases in Entrepreneurship (EVM 4700)
? Leading Innovation (EVM 4710)
However, students can substitute any of these courses as needed to fit their schedules and interests and still fulfill
the concentration in Innovation and Entrepreneurship:
? Social Entrepreneurship (EVM 4704)
? Independent Study (EVM 4991)
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? e-Business Entrepreneurship (ITEC 4700)
? Project Management (ITEC 4488)
? Business Plan (MGMT 4280)
2.5 Colorado State University
The College of Business at CSU’s Fort Collins campus and the Malik Seeme Hasan School of Business at CSU’s
Pueblo campus both offer entrepreneurship classes. The Center for Entrepreneurship in Fort Collins offers an
undergraduate certificate in entrepreneurship and a master’s program in entrepreneurship.
Students who complete the undergraduate certificate program have a number of benefits:
? Seven entrepreneur speakers each year
? Personal mentoring from the Entrepreneur in Residence
? Access to the feasibility fund for up to $10,000 of ‘next step’ funding
? Lifelong support for the College of Business Entrepreneurship Center
To complete an Entrepreneurship Certificate, students must take:
? Fundamentals of Entrepreneurship (MGT 34)
? New Venture Creation (MGT 420)
? one elective from this list:
o Innovation and Corporate Entrepreneurship (MGT 330)
o Social and Sustainable Venturing (MGT 360)
o New Venture Management (MGT 440)
The College of Business started the Global Social & Sustainable Enterprise (GSSE) Program, a specialized MBA
that takes 25 students per year (half domestic and half international) and trains them in social entrepreneurship
in part through an overseas stint focused on distribution. This concentration is in the business of creating a
better world, improving the lives of people, while building profitable ventures.
The GSSE Program is a highly structured full time 1.5 year program:
Fall Semester:
? ACCOUNTING FOR GLOBAL SUSTAINABLE ENTERPRISE (ACT 501: Basics of US and international financial
reporting and budgeting for business and non-profit organizations.)
? INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND PROJECT MANAGEMENT (CIS600: Strategic management of
information technology, project planning and implementation.)
? MARKETING FOR SOCIAL SUSTAINABLE ENTERPRISES (MKT601: Customer and stakeholder value creation
and capture. Marketing strategy with emphasis on issues of social and sustainable organizations.)
? GLOBAL SOCIAL SUSTAINABLE ENTREPRENEURSHIP (MGT667: Introduction to global challenges of
poverty, environmental degradation, and public health and the role of entrepreneurial management in
private and public sector approaches.)
? CONTEMPORARY ISSUES IN BUSINESS (BUS690: A series of seminars emphasizing current topics related to
the Global Social and Sustainable Enterprise. Topics may include: Leadership Across Cultures, Micro-
Finance, Ecological Perspectives for Business, and Marketing Research in Developing Countries.)
Spring Semester:
? FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT AND MARKETS (FIN601: Integrated coverage of financial management,
investments, and markets and institutions from the public, private, and non-profit perspective.)
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? BUSINESS DECISION MAKING (BUS601: Analysis and management of information; decision tools and
concepts)
? LEGAL AND ETHICAL ENVIRONMENT OF BUSINESS (Bus505: Legal and regulatory issues impacting business
operation. Ethical and social responsibility concepts applied to business setting.)
? DEVELOPMENT OF SOCIAL SUSTAINABLE ENTERPRISES (MGT668: Early stages of a new venture, including
creation of business plan. Additional study of social entrepreneurship and sustainable business strategies.
? CONTEMPORARY ISSUES IN BUSINESS (BUS690: Seminars on current topics related to the Global Social
and Sustainable Enterprise.)
Summer Semester:
? PRACTICUM/INTERNSHIP (BUS686/687: Summer fieldwork involving research, implementation planning,
and hands-on experience for student projects.)
Fall Semester:
? MANAGING IN A GLOBAL CONTEXT (MGT612: Global management and human resource development
issues and practices. Cross cultural issues in organizational behavior, recruitment, selection, training, and
compensation.)
? SUSTAINABLE ENTERPRISE FUNDING AND EVALUATION (MGT669: Funding social and sustainable
enterprises. Grant writing, venture philanthropy, angel investors, and venture capital. Project
development, evaluation, and execution.)
? INDEPENDENT/GROUP STUDY (BUS 695/696) or Thesis (BUS699): The Independent/Group Study for the
Plan B students will entail a final project, report, and presentations. The thesis option for Plan A students
involves a traditional research study.
? CONTEMPORARY ISSUES IN BUSINESS (BUS690: Seminars on current topics related to the Global Social
and Sustainable Enterprise.)
2.6 Metro State College of Denver
The Metro Center for Innovation offers a variety of undergraduate entrepreneurship classes. Students can elect to
earn a minor in entrepreneurship or a certificate. The Minor in Entrepreneurship helps students develop the
requisite business skills needed to build a successful start-up. The Certificate in Entrepreneurship is for members
of the Denver Metro community who want to study entrepreneurship, but do not want to pursue a Bachelor's
degree. The requirements are identical to that for the minor except that certificate students do not need to do an
internship to earn a certificate.
The following courses are required to complete a Minor or Certificate in Entrepreneurship:
? CREATIVE PROBLEM-SOLVING (CFI 1910) - This introductory course focuses on creative problem-solving
from an entrepreneurial perspective.
? NEW VENTURE FEASIBILITY (CFI 2910) - This course helps students determine whether their own
previously identified opportunities are suitable for the marketplace.
? INTERNSHIP (CFI 3980) - This course provides an advanced internship experience in a for-profit or non-
profit enterprise supervised by professionals on-the-job in the field of entrepreneurship.
? NEW VENTURE CREATION I (CFI 3910) - This course provides first-hand experience working alongside
entrepreneurs and facilitating the launch of student conceived business plans.
? NEW VENTURE CREATION II (CFI 3920) – continuation of New Venture Creation I.
? One Approved Elective
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Approved Electives for both programs include:
? ENTREPRENEURIAL PROMOTIONS (CFI 3930) - The course presents the entrepreneur with the
fundamental theories of marketing and selling a product or service.
? ETHICS AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP (CFI 1920) - This course presents theories and principles of ethics in two
contexts.
? ARTREPRENEURSHIP (CFI 3940) - This course is designed to give students the tools, techniques and
resources to turn their passion for art into a thriving business. Special consideration will be given to
traditional approaches to marketing, such as galleries, festivals, public venues and retail, as well as
emerging marketing channels like online direct sales, direct sales, business to business and online
galleries/representation.
2.7 Colorado School of Mines
The Colorado School of Mines does not have a formal business school or certificated program in
entrepreneurship. Instead they have a selection of entrepreneurial courses in their Engineering and Technology
Management (ETM) program for interested students. These include:
? TECHNOLOGY ENTREPRENEURSHIP (EBGN556) Introduces concepts related to starting and expanding a
technological-based corporation. Presents ideas such as developing a business and financing plan, role of
intellectual property, and the importance of a good R&D program.
? ENTREPRENEURIAL FINANCE (EBGN573) Entrepreneurial activity has been a potent source of innovation
and job generation in the global economy. In the U.S., the majority of new jobs are generated by new
entrepreneurial firms. This course focuses analyzing the unique financial issues which face
entrepreneurial firms and to develop a set of skills that has wide applications for such situations.
? MANAGING NEW PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT (EBGN564) Develops interdisciplinary skills required for
successful product development in today's competitive marketplace. Small product development teams
step through the new product development process in detail, learning about available tools and
techniques to execute each process step along the way.
? MARKETING FOR TECHNOLOGY-BASED COMPANIES (EBGN565) This class explores concepts and practices
related to marketing in this unique, fast-paced environment, including the defining characteristics of high-
technology industries; different types and patterns of innovations and their marketing implications; the
need for (and difficulties in) adopting a customer-orientation; tools used to gather marketing
research/intelligence in technology-driven industries; use of strategic alliances and partnerships in
marketing technology; adaptations to the "4 P's"; regulatory and ethical considerations in technological
arenas.
The Colorado School of Mines also hosts an annual Engineering Technology Management Seminar series that is
presented by their Executive in Residence. The ETM Seminar Series is designed to be interactive and practical,
exploring contemporary business issues and trends with a focus on the career implications for ETM professionals
within the global innovation environment. The topics are intended to provide context for many of the skills and
tools addressed in coursework for the ETM Master’s program. Overall, the purpose of the seminar series is to
enhance awareness about what professionals should expect in organizations and economies confronted with the
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new innovation economy realities, and how professionals must take ownership of their career, craft their
definition of success, and prepare for and be receptive to change.
Topics for 2010 included:
? Career Implications of Global Innovation
? The Value of Networking -Social Media & Professional Association
? Job Hunting – The Nuts and Bolts of Resumes and Interviewing.
? Executive Round Table – Q&A with Company Executives on ETM Careers and Managing Your own Future
? Becoming a Leader of Consequence – Personal Skills, Reputation and Measurement
? Organizational Implications - Technology Collaboration and Open Innovation Issues for Management
2.8 Johnson & Wales University
While not AACSB accredited, Johnson & Wales University has an extensive array of undergraduate
entrepreneurship classes in their Business programs. Students can graduate with a concentration in
entrepreneurship by completing any three of the following courses:
? Managerial Economics (ECON3030)
? Introduction to Entrepreneurship (ENTR1001)
? The Business Plan (ENTR2030)
? Financing the Entrepreneurial Venture (ENTR2040)
? Business Expansion Strategies and Tactics (ENTR3025)
? Global Entrepreneurship (ENTR4020)
Students can also choose Entrepreneurship as a major. Such students complete an n integrated mix of custom
entrepreneurial courses, traditional management and marketing classes, and extensive experiential opportunities
both in and out of the classroom, to prepare them for a career as a business starter and/or corporate
intrapreneur in an extensive variety of industries.
Students completing an Entrepreneurship major have access to a variety of business and entrepreneurship
focused courses:
? Business Accounting I and Lab (ACCT 1021)
? Business Accounting II and Lab (ACCT1022)
? Managerial Accounting (ACCT3023)
? Introduction to Entrepreneurship (ENTR1001)
? The Business Plan (ENTR2030)
? Financing the Entrepreneurial Venture (ENTR2040)
? Small Business Consulting (ENTR3010)
? Business Expansion Strategies and Tactics (ENTR3025)
? Global Entrepreneurship (ENTR4020)
? Marketing Research for Entrepreneurs (ENTR3030)
? Managing Change and Innovation (ENTR4010)
? Organizational Behavior (MGMT2020)
? Service and Production Operations Management (MGMT2030)
? Managerial Technology (MGMT3030)
? Strategic Management (MGMT4020)
? Principles of Marketing (MRKT1001)
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? Principles of Professional Selling (MRKT1011)
Students may elect to take a variety of other courses in business law, etc.
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3 Business Incubators
A variety of business incubators are available to entrepreneurs in Colorado. Many of these incubators partner
with or are run by Universities. Some of these, such as CleanLaunch or the Science and Technology Park at
Fitzsimons, support companies in a specific industry while others are less restrictive in focus.
Some but not all of the Colorado business incubators have joined the Colorado Business Incubator Association.
The Colorado Business Incubation Association (CBIA) is a 501c3 organization that provides a forum to share
resources, information, and best practices among business incubators and their supporters throughout the state.
Membership is open to incubator professionals, educators/students, economic developers, service providers, and
policy makers as well as individuals and organizations that support strengthening Colorado’s entrepreneurial
environment.
3.1 Bard Center for Entrepreneurship Business Incubator
The Bard Center Incubator at the University of Colorado Denver is open to early stage Colorado companies who
meet the admission criteria. There are 10 offices available for rent. The business incubation process is currently
overseen by a committee of Bard Center Advisory Council members with support of Bard Center staff. Businesses
from all industries relevant to Colorado’s economy are welcome to join the incubator. The office space is not
suitable for biotechnology research or manufacturing.
Admission Criteria*
• Executive Summary on Innovative Business Idea
• Growth strategy to exit incubator within 12 to 18 months
• Goals & objectives to execute strategy
• Successful interview(s) with Advisory Council member(s)
• Business must be consistent with the values of the University of Colorado.
*Preference given to University of Colorado (Faculty, Staff, Students, & Alumni) or Bard Center (e.g. Business Plan
Winner) affiliates
Incubation Process
• Matched to specific business mentor for optimal growth & success of the company
• Potential for meetings with mentors-in-residence for legal, accounting, public relations & others as
needed
• Quarterly updates on financial progress and goals toward meeting milestones to Incubation & Mentorship
Committee or Bard Center Advisory Council
• Access to Rutt Bridges Venture Capital Fund or Angel Investors in the Bard Center community
Office Amenities
• Furnished Offices
• Private Kitchen & Meeting Room
• Wireless and Wired Internet Service
• Nightly Cleaning Service
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• Moderate Fax/Copy Usage
• Scheduled use of shared conference and class rooms
Leasing Options (per month):
? 6 month lease to start
? Virtual - $150 (mailing address, use of shared
spaces up to 10 hrs per month)
? Small Office - $500
? Medium Office - $750
? Large Office - $1000
3.2 CleanLaunch
CleanLaunch is Colorado's Cleantech Incubator. The mission of CleanLaunch is to stimulate the development and
success of early-stage companies who will provide the next generation of clean, renewable, and efficient energy
technologies. CleanLaunch helps clean tech companies assemble solid management teams, secure adequate
funding, and accelerate the commercialization of sound product ideas into the market.
CleanLaunch provides:
? Business advisory services
? Fundraising preparation and introduction to investment capital providers
? Low-cost, turn-key office, industrial, and research space
Each applicant goes through an extensive review and each client must be approved by the CleanLaunch Board of
Directors. The goal is to select the companies which have tremendous potential but require assistance to realize
that potential.
CleanLaunch focus exclusively on clean technology, or clean tech, companies in the following sectors:
? Energy Generation (Wind, Solar, Biofuels, Geothermal)
? Energy Storage (Fuel Cells, Advanced Batteries, Hybrid Systems)
? Energy Infrastructure (Management, Transmission)
? Energy Efficiency (Controls, Lighting, Buildings, Glass)
? Transportation (Vehicles, Logistics, Fuels)
? Water & Wastewater (Water Treatment, Water Conservation, Wastewater Treatment)
? Air & Environment (Cleanup/Safety, Emissions Control, Monitoring/Compliance, Trading & Offsets)
? Manufacturing/Industrial (Advanced Packaging, Monitoring & Control, Smart Production)
? Agriculture (Natural Pesticides, Land Management, Aquaculture)
? Recycling & Waste (Recycling, Waste Treatment)
Currently CleanLaunch is located in the old CTEK Stapleton Business Incubator. However, CleanLaunch should be
relocated to the NREL campus by the end of 2010. CleanLaunch companies pay a monthly fee and may give up a
small equity stake (negotiated for each company) to CleanLaunch upon successful exit from the incubator.
3.3 Colorado Science + Technology Park at Fitzsimons
The Colorado Science and Technology Park at Fitzsimons is the result of a partnership between the Fitzsimons
Redevelopment Authority (FRA) and Forest City Enterprises.
With 184 acres of developable land and a full range of buy, lease and build-to-suit opportunities, the Fitzsimons
Life Science District lets a life science company find — or create from scratch — the perfect place for their
organization.
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There are several buildings on the campus with laboratory space pre-built in a variety of configurations including
fully equipped wet labs with short-term leasing arrangements, which allow companies to expand and contract as
their company growth requires. The different facilities have different amenities.
Bioscience Park Center
Bioscience Park Center is the primary business incubator with 15 pre-built labs, 21 executive office suites, and
many shared services and amenities spread over 60,000 square feet on three floors. Space agreements are
available in one-year terms with possible renewals. Incubator companies can make use of:
? A location adjacent to the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, with access to the core
laboratory facilities of the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus
? Home of the Fitzsimons BioBusiness Partners (FBBp) business development program
? Conference rooms with A/V equipment
? Kitchen and catering space
? Building-wide phone system
? High-speed internet
? Shared scientific and administrative equipment
? Event space
? Free Parking
? Outsource referral program
? Lab coat rental program
? Safety training
? Access to Fully furnished executive suites, including administrative support
Bioscience East
A 25,000-square-foot, single-story building offering:
? Newer bioscience lab space, including benches, biological and chemical fume hoods
? Private offices and cubicles, fully furnished
? Shared conference room with built-in A/V
? Shared kitchens and break rooms
? A location adjacent to the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, with access to the
university’s core labs
? Large dock area
? Enhanced HVAC and electrical systems
? Plenty of free parking
? Flexible lease terms
FBBp
Companies in the Colorado Science + Technology Park at Fitzsimons have access to the Fitzsimons BioBusiness
Partners (FBBp). To become a client, a brief overview in the form of a non-confidential 2 page Executive Summary
should be submitted to Dr. Michael Artinger ([email protected]). Following an initial review, an in person
meeting will be scheduled to allow a thorough discussion of the concept as well as provide a summary of FBBp’s
capabilities and processes.
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Upon acceptance of a client, the technology/company will receive guidance and support in identified priority
areas, such as:
? Company formation
? Business model development
? Technology assessment
? Research planning
? Market analysis
? Patent and competitive landscape evaluation
? Regulatory considerations
? Reimbursement issues
? Sales and marketing strategy
? Identifying management candidates
? Alliance development
? Fundraising
When appropriate, clients are rigorously prepared by the FBBp team to present to the Advisors, a group of local
and regional venture capitalists, angel investors, life science executives and domain experts. This provides an
excellent forum for FBBp clients to test assumptions and gauge general receptivity to the opportunity in a setting
similar to what they will encounter out on the road. Feedback from the Advisors is used to improve the Client’s
pitch as well as address any identified weaknesses prior to initiating national fundraising and partnering efforts,
where FBBp provides:
? Access to angel networks and seed funding, including identifying State-based funding for technologies
originating from Colorado universities
? Nation-wide venture sourcing
? Assistance with alliance development
? Identifying additional non-dilutive funding sources, such as small business (STTR/SBIR) grants from a
variety of sources, including NIH, NSF, DOD as well as philanthropic organizations
3.4 Tech Stars
TechStars is not a typical business incubator, but has many features in common with business incubators. While it
started in Boulder, CO, the TechStars program has now been replicated to New York City, Seattle and Boston.
TechStars is a mentorship-driven seed stage investment program. They run an annual three month long program
in Boston (MA), Boulder (CO), New York City (NY) and Seattle (WA). Hundreds of companies apply but only ten
companies per city are chosen each year. These companies get up to $18,000 in seed funding, three months of
intensive top-notch mentorship, and the chance to pitch to angel investors and venture capitalists at the end of
the program. More information.
In exchange for the TechStars program, seed funding, advice, mentorship, connections, and investor demo day,
TechStars receives a 6% equity stake in the mentored companies.
Since its inception in Boulder in 2007, TechStars has invested in 60 companies. As of May 2010, TechStars has
already developed an impressive track record.
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Success of TechStars Companies
Status Number of Companies Percentage
Active 27 69.24%
Acquired > $2M 5 12.82%
Acquired