Essentials of Entrepreneurship, Innovation, & Design

Learn How to Think, Not What to Think

Are you a Creative, Disruptor, Manager, Individual Contributor, Changemaker, or...? Whether you are creating something new or want to improve processes in business, projects, or development, this course gives you the tools to view problems in a different way, validate solutions with customer discovery, and pitch ideas to stakeholders.

Essentials of Entrepreneurship, Innovation, & Design provides an introduction to critical knowledge and skills related to creating new business and product ideas. In this course, you will discover new ways of thinking, learn to drive innovative initiatives, and approach business challenges with a fresh perspective. By the end of the course, you will be able to understand the principles and methods of idea generation and development.

Course Details

LEARNING OUTCOMES

• Understand design thinking and ideation;
• Understand business models and connect innovation and entrepreneurial initiatives to organization objectives and goals;
• Develop knowledge and skills to use Lean Startup methodology in customer development and discovery;
• Understand how to communicate, finance, or market a new idea, product, or initiative.

COURSE TOPICS

Each class session covers a different aspect of the journey to creating a new venture. Several guest lecturers will join the instructor to share their experience and knowledge on particular topics.

• Introduction to Design Thinking and Opportunity Framing
• Business Modeling
• Customer Discovery
• Financing Your Startup
• Leadership, Culture, and Team Design
• Intellectual Property
• Putting Purpose into Practice
• Presentation Skills and the Power of the Startup Narrative

IN-PERSON FORMAT

Lectures will be delivered in-person on the UC San Diego campus in the Design & Innovation Building, conveniently located next to the UC San Diego Central Campus trolley station.  The course is highly interactive, using exercises and group-based work. There is no remote/online option.

Registration

ENROLLMENT DEADLINE

The enrollment deadline for Winter Quarter 2025 is January 6, 2025. No enrollments will be accepted after this date.

EARN AN AWARD OF COMPLETION

Participants who attend 8 out of 10 of the sessions will earn an award of completion.

INFORMATION FOR UC SAN DIEGO AFFILIATES (STUDENTS, FACULTY, AND STAFF)

Currently-enrolled/currently-employed UC San Diego students, faculty, and staff may register at a $50 rate. To request the discount code, please contact Nathan Owens at nowens@ucsd.edu and provide your student or employee ID number.

For matriculated students, this course is co-curricular record (CCR) approved. To receive CCR credit, you must complete 8 of 10 sessions and submit a request through the MyCCR portal.

Meet the Instructor

Greg Horowitt is a serial entrepreneur, investor, author, and innovation systems architect. He currently is a Managing Director of Jun Capital as well as a member of the Society of Kauffman Fellows. He is the Director of Innovation at the University of California, San Diego, and also serves as an adjunct lecturer at Stanford University. Greg is the co-author of the bestselling book, The Rainforest: The Secret to Building the Next Silicon Valley.

He has spent 25+ years working in startups, venture capital, and is one of the pioneers in the field of innovation ecosystems. Greg is a trusted advisor to such notable organizations as the US State Department, Aspen Institute, University of California, World Bank, and Inter-American Development Bank, in addition to his role as a Senior Fellow with the Global Federation of Competitiveness Councils.

He has worked in several executive and investment roles including a Berkshire Hathaway operating company, and continues his work today as an investor, advisor, and board member of multiple entrepreneurial startups.

Contact for Questions About the Course

Nathan Owens
Associate Director, Strategic Iniatives
nowens@ucsd.edu