Entrepreneurship

Entrepreneurship-related programs and activities are university-wide, and coordinated by the Baker Institute for Entrepreneurship, Creativity and Innovation. Entrepreneurship curriculum is overseen by a joint committee of faculty from CBE, CAS and RCEAS.

Director: Todd A. Watkins, Ph.D. (Harvard), Arthur F. Searing Professor of Economics, and Director, Baker Institute for Entrepreneurship, Creativity and Innovation

Additional Program Faculty: Pasquale J. Costa, B.S. (Penn State); Dale F. Falcinelli, M.S. (Lehigh); William Forster, Ph.D. (U. Virginia, Darden); William R. Haller, B.S. (Lehigh); Sandra F. Holsonback, Ph.D. (Lehigh); Christopher D. McDemus, J.D. (Widener); Bruce E. Moon, Ph.D. (Ohio State); Holona L. Ochs, Ph.D. (Kansas); John B. Ochs, Ph.D. (Penn State); Neal G. Simon, Ph.D. (Rutgers); Robert J. Trent, Ph.D. (Michigan State).

Minor in Entrepreneurship

Open to all undergraduate students, from any major.

The purpose is to enable students in any major to supplement their major with a creative entrepreneurial mindset and skills that increase their ability to identify opportunities for innovation, to challenge the status quo in any field, and to implement sustainable change, whether in emerging or established companies or non-profit enterprises. The program is designed to be accessible to students from all disciplines with an emphasis upon innovation, entrepreneurial thinking and creative processes, cross-functional integration, and hands-on experiential practice. The minor leverages the resources and support of the Baker Institute for Entrepreneurship, Creativity, and Innovation, as well as a broad array of related programs and infrastructure across the university.

We encourage participation by those interested in all types of entrepreneurship, including business and technical entrepreneurship but also not-for-profit contexts aiming for social, cultural and environmental change. Throughout the multi-disciplinary, team-based curriculum, students are encouraged to work either on their own entrepreneurial projects, projects related to Lehigh University intellectual property, or on ideas brought in by outside entrepreneurs.

Recommended Tracks:

Students may select any set of courses that fulfill the minor requirements. However students are encouraged consult with the minor director to design a focused track, such as Technology Entrepreneurship, Social & Non-profit Entrepreneurship, Arts Entrepreneurship, Green Entrepreneurship, Health & Biomedical Entrepreneurship, Service-sector Entrepreneurship, or others. The recommended approach for a focused track begins with the introductory ENTP 101 and closes with in-depth hands-on capstone entrepreneurial experiences, sandwiched around a flexible package of courses selected by each student as needed to foster their particular entrepreneurial interests and goals.

Requirements:

The minor The minor has a prerequisite of ECO 1 (4 credit hours) and then requires at least 14 credit hours of ENTP and capstone courses.

Prerequisite Course:

Required Courses:

Students must complete the minor with an average GPA of at least 2.0 in those courses to qualify.

Undergraduate Courses in Entrepreneurship and Social Ventures

ENTP 101–Introduction to Entrepreneurship (3)

Introduction to the nature of entrepreneurship and the entrepreneurial mindset. Emphasis on identifying opportunities, generating creative ideas, and the process of scaling up sustainable organizations. Topics include: alternative concepts of entrepreneurship and social entrepreneurship; personal attributes of entrepreneurs; steps in new venture creation; introduction to entrepreneurial finance and marketing; new venture planning for both emerging and existing enterprises. Uses case studies, hands-on experiential teams, and exposure though guest speakers to successful entrepreneurs and to Lehigh and community resources for entrepreneurs. Prerequisite: ECO 001 (may be taken simultaneously) or permission of the minor director. (ND)

ENTP 201–Entrepreneurship & Enterprise (3)

Investigates skills & steps for entrepreneurial success: mindset; opportunity scanning; informal networking; finding resources; managing risk; marketing plans; investors; debt & venture capital; horizontal management; developing a leadership team & creative culture; technology cycles; structuring; managing change; ethics; exit strategies. Case studies & projects. Guest entrepreneurs. Prerequisite: ENTP 101 or permission of minor director. (ND)

ENTP 306/MGT 306–Decision Making in Small Business and Non-profit Enterprise (3)

Formulation of strategies, policies and decisions unique to family owned businesses, nonprofit organizations, startup ventures and organizations experiencing rapid growth. Lectures and case studies. Prerequisites: Fin 125; Mkt 111 (ND)

ENTP 307/IR 307–International Social Entrepreneurship (4)

International social entrepreneurship aims to change the world through innovation in solving social problems. Focus on the nexus between social entrepreneurship and development practice, especially in relation to NGOs. Emphasis on acquiring the tools and conceptual framework to launch a new social venture through real world hands-on field work and team-oriented learning by doing. Exposure to best practices in field methods with respect to development projects, to how to affect meaningful social change in poor countries, to generate and evaluate innovative ideas for poverty reduction, to develop those ideas into concrete on-the-ground start-up plans, and to take initial steps to implement them. It is recommended, but not required, that students have some previous experience with development or entrepreneurship, such as through enrollment in ENTP 101 or IR 322 or Eco 303 or CEE 205. (SS)

ENTP 309/POLS 309–Nonprofit Administration (4)

Key questions in nonprofit sector research, policy, & management and factors that make the nonprofit sector distinct. Scope & character of nonprofit activity in the U.S. & abroad. Current debates in nonprofit policy and critical challenges facing management. (SS)

ENTP 310–Social Entrepreneurship: How to Change the World (4)

The marketplace does not always have to be harsh. Social entrepreneurship uses market-based approaches to address needs and solve problems in our society. Students in this seminar-style course will learn how to identify community problems, convince the community that it is a problem worth solving, design the response, and implement it. Hands-on projects. Prerequisite: Eco 1 and at least junior standing, or permission of the minor director. (SS)

ENTP 311–The Garage: Launching Entrepreneurial Ventures I (3)

Students work in cross-disciplinary teams with faculty advisors and alumni mentors on marketing, financial planning, and economic and technical feasibility of entrepreneurial product- or service-based new ventures, commercial or non-profit. Students may elect to work either on their own entrepreneurial projects, on projects related to Lehigh University intellectual property, or on ideas brought in by outside entrepreneurs. Oral presentations, written new venture plans and discussions with guest speakers are integral parts of the course. Prerequisite: ENTP 101 or permission of the minor director. (ND)

ENTP 312–The Garage: Launching Entrepreneurial Ventures II (3)

Continuation of ENTP 311. Investigates and pursues in detail the critical steps and activities necessary when entrepreneurs seriously pursue launching new ventures. Prerequisite: ENTP 311 or permission of minor director. (ND)

ENTP 320/BIOS 320–The Business of Life Science (3)

An examination of business process in startup, early stage and developing bioscience companies. Technology assessment, business plan and proposal preparation, financial strategies, resource management, intellectual property, and legal as well as regulatory issues. Cannot be used to fulfill major requirements in BIOS. Prerequisite: BIOS 120 or consent of instructor. (ND)

Graduate Entprepreneurship Courses & Venture Series

See the GBEN listings under Business and Economics Graduate Courses.