Session 1: September 22, 2008

Course Overview

Quote of the Day

"A pessimist is one who makes difficulties of his opportunities and an optimist is one who makes opportunities of his difficulties." ~ Harry Truman

Summary

What is E145?  This first meeting of the course will provide a complete overview of the course including teaching team introductions and expectations, and exactly how we plan to exceed students’ expectations.  We will discuss our goals and objectives in examining the fundamentals of high-technology entrepreneurship. Students must attend this session to be considered for admission into the course.

Required Readings (Policy on Required Readings.)

• Readings from the Textbooks:
• Technology Ventures (2e) (Dorf and Byers) - Review the Table of Contents
• Technology Ventures (Dorf and Byers): Ch 1 Capitalism and the Technology Entrepreneur (Highlights: 1.1, 1.2, 1.8)
• Watch the following short videos:
• Vinod Khosla (KPCB) - Technology as a Driver of Change
• Jeff Hawkins (palmOne) - What is entrepreneurism?
• Guy Kawasaki (garage.com) - Entrepreneurs Then and Now
• Website readings:
• Browse the entire web site for E145 thoroughly.  Please come to class prepared with any questions.
• Stanford Technology Ventures Program. The sponsoring center for this class and entrepreneurship in the School of Engineering.
• Sign up for these two daily email broadcasts
1. Venturewire Alert
2. Bases Digest

Study Questions (Policy on Study Questions.)

• What is entrepreneurship?  Can it be taught?
• Why should engineering, science, and humanities (i.e. non-MBA) students study entrepreneurship?

Online Assignment (Policy on Online Assignments.)

None.
Note: Attendance is mandatory in order to determine who is admitted and who is placed on waiting list. This applies even if students signed up via Axess previously.