UNC MBA848A Launching the Venture I


	MBA 848A Launching the Venture I: Opportunity Recognition and Team Building Fall 2009, Mondays, 5:00-7:50 p.m., McColl 2500 Patrick Vernon, Adjunct Assistant Professor, 919-962-9257, launch@unc.edu Other LTV Links: Launch Program, Facebook, Twitter, Course Registration Course Links: [MBA848A Home] [Syllabus] [Biz Plan Resources] [Industry Research] [FAQ]

		Schedule

	Topic + Required Readings	Suggested Readings from Books [see syllabus for optional books]	Optional ONLINE Readings and Resources	Guests Panels + Networking Events
8/24	Ideas vs. Opportunities Razor Course Pack i. Introducing the Razor 1. Value Proposition	Entrepreneurship Textbook 1. Introduction to Entrepreneurship 2. Recognizing Opportunities Art of the Start 1. The Art of Starting 2. The Art of Positioning	Raising VC in Tough Times Stanford Videos: What VCs Look For Make Meaning Write a Mantra Value Network: B2B Merwyn Innovation Workshop Video	Former LTV Students Tina Privatte, NC Choices Katherine O’Brien, GPTrex Jim Manning, UNC Emergency Medicine Amy Rix, Remedease
8/31	Business Literacy for Entrepreneurs Razor Course Pack 2. Market Potential 5. Competitive Advantage (moved to 9/14)	Entrepreneurship Textbook 3. Feasibility Analysis	Conducting A Market Analysis The Defendable SWAG FirstMover Advantage (9/14) Barriers to Entry (moved to 9/14) Stanford Videos Surviving Competition Fending off Competition Cracking Big Markets	The RTP Entrepreneurial Community Joan Seifert Rose, CED Scott Rockafellow, SBTDC Kate Koronkiewicz, TiE Cathy Innes, UNC OTD
9/7	Labor Day Holiday
9/14	Building Entrepreneurial Teams Razor Course Pack 4. Team 5. Competitive Advantage	Entrepreneurship Textbook 9. Building a New Venture Team Art of the Start 6. The Art of Recruiting 8. The Art of Partnering	The Power of Advisory Boards How to Attract VCs Business Networking for Entrepreneurs FirstMover Advantage Barriers to Entry Stanford Videos: Attracting Great Talent Teams Need Young and Old What Makes a Great Team Who to Hire Finding Soulmates Experience is Overrated Work-Life Balance	Networking/Team-Building Workshop
9/21	Entrepreneurial Finance 101 Razor Course Pack 3. Return 6. Business Model	Entrepreneurship Textbook 6. Developing a Business Model 8. Assessing Financial Strength Art of the Start 5. The Art of Bootstrapping 7. The Art of Raising Capital	Return for VCs Social ROI A Definition for Success Countdown to Product Launch It Pays to Give it Away Stanford Videos: Business Model Non-Profit Pricing Increasing Value Setting Valuation VC vs. Strategic Partner	Entrepreneurial Finance Dave Rizzo, IDEA Fund Partners Ivan Hankins, SBA Troy Knauss, Piedmont Angel Network
9/24	Razor Analysis Due	Email to launch@unc.edu
9/28	Entrepreneurial Marketing 101 Razor Course Pack 7. Customer Pain + LTV II Application Help	Entrepreneurship Textbook 11. Unique Marketing Issues Art of the Start 9. The Art of Branding 10. The Art of Rainmaking	Marketing 4 Ps Define Your Customer Finding Your Target Market What is Guerrilla Marketing 50 Guerrilla Marketing Techniques Pricing and Market Positioning Building Your Brand Stanford Video: Niche Thyself Early Customers	Entrepreneurial Marketing Ron Clabo, GiftOasis Margot Lester, The Word Factory Colin Wahl, Client Opinions
10/1	LTV II Application Due	Apply here
10/5	Final Projects: Pitch-A-Thon LTV II Online Application	Art of the Start 3. The Art of Pitching	Stanford Video: Make a Great Pitch	LTV Instructors Randy Myer Ted Zoller Patrick Vernon Cathy Innes, OTD