A project-based course where teams of four prepare for the fundraising and launch of an entrepreneurial venture in the "real economy" - that is, startups targeting users in construction and sustainable buildings, manufacturing, healthcare, transportation, energy, infrastructure financing, and manufacturing 4.0, among others. Students gain the experience of early-stage entrepreneurs as they move through stages of team building, opportunity assessment, product-market fit analysis, business model architecture, product planning and development, go-to-market strategy, financial modeling, and fundraising planning. Teams use current AI tools to accelerate the development of their plans and presentations. The course includes weekly workshops, guest presentations from seasoned entrepreneurs and industry experts, weekly meetings with the teaching team, and one-on-one support from dedicated business mentors and coaches. It draws on detailed online material from the CGOE Idea-to-Market program (I2M). The experience features three pitches to panels of VCs and other industry experts - starting with Opportunity Assessment, then Operations and Financial Modeling, and concluding with an Investor Pitch to Silicon Valley VCs and other investors. By the end of the class, students are equipped with the knowledge and network to evaluate and create impactful business ideas, many of which launch from this class. Open to all Stanford students, with a preference for graduate students. No prerequisites. For more information and team applications, visit the course website: https://cee.stanford.edu/venture-creation.
3 units · Letter (ABCD/NP)
A project-based course where teams of four prepare for the fundraising and launch of an entrepreneurial venture in the "real economy" - that is, startups targeting users in construction and sustainable buildings, manufacturing, healthcare, transportation, energy, infrastructure financing, and manufacturing 4.0, among others. Students gain the experience of early-stage entrepreneurs as they move through stages of team building, opportunity assessment, product-market fit analysis, business model architecture, product planning and development, go-to-market strategy, financial modeling, and fundraising planning. Teams use current AI tools to accelerate the development of their plans and presentations. The course includes weekly workshops, guest presentations from seasoned entrepreneurs and industry experts, weekly meetings with the teaching team, and one-on-one support from dedicated business mentors and coaches. It draws on detailed online material from the CGOE Idea-to-Market program (I2M). The experience features three pitches to panels of VCs and other industry experts - starting with Opportunity Assessment, then Operations and Financial Modeling, and concluding with an Investor Pitch to Silicon Valley VCs and other investors. By the end of the class, students are equipped with the knowledge and network to evaluate and create impactful business ideas, many of which launch from this class. Open to all Stanford students, with a preference for graduate students. No prerequisites. For more information and team applications, visit the course website: https://cee.stanford.edu/venture-creation.
Offered in Winter 2027 at Stanford University.