🚀 What Is This Course?
This capstone is run as a VENTURE STUDIO. You will practice entrepreneurial thinking by working through a design-thinking-style methods sequence:
- DISCOVER a real challenge
- INTERPRET it through primary research
- IDEATE many possible solutions
- PROTOTYPE and test
- SHOWCASE what you learned and what you'd do next
The emphasis is on EVIDENCE, ITERATION, and REFLECTION—not on having a "perfect idea" on day one!
📜 Our Classroom Mantras
Chosen by the students of Winter 2026
📅 Course Logistics
| 🕓 Meeting Times | Monday & Wednesday, 8:00–9:30am |
|---|---|
| 💼 Office Hours | Monday 3–4pm & Wednesday 2–3pm (by appointment only) |
| 📆 Dates | Mon Jan 12 – Fri Apr 17, 2026 |
| 📝 Make-up Class | Fri Jan 23 (Monday schedule; MLK holiday week) |
| 🎉 No Class | Mon Jan 19 (MLK Day) Washington Break: Mon Feb 23 – Fri Feb 27 |
| 🌟 Required Event | Entrepreneurship Summit Booth Showcase Fri Mar 20 (time TBA) + Attend 3 summit panels (with proof!) |
🎯 Learning Outcomes
By the end of the term, you will be able to demonstrate (with evidence!):
- Problem-solving via an entrepreneurial method (define → test → learn → iterate)
- Working with uncertainty and ambiguity – making decisions with incomplete information
- Learning from failure – running fast experiments, extracting signal, pivoting or persevering
- Perspective taking and empathy – interviews, observation, interpreting user needs
- Creativity with limited resources – scrappy prototyping, using what you've got
- Responding to critical feedback – iterating based on peer/advisor/customer input
- Teamwork and collaboration – roles, accountability, constructive conflict
🔄 How the Course Works
We use a flipped + studio cadence. Most "content" happens before class (short readings/videos). Class time is for workshops, critique, synthesis, prototyping, and coached decision-making.
Expect frequent feedback and frequent revision!
📅 Weekly Rhythm (typical):
| Before Monday | Complete assigned readings + any prep noted in schedule |
|---|---|
| Monday Class | Workshop + studio time + critique |
| Before Wednesday | Complete any additional readings assigned for Wed session |
| Wednesday Class | Workshop + studio time + critique |
| Friday (no class) | Venture Log entry due + any major deliverables |
🎁 Gift-Giving Exercise (Early Term)
You will design and deliver a small 'gift' (time, attention, introduction, prototype, or $0-$10 physical item) to someone connected to your problem space.
The goal is not generosity-as-performance; it is to learn how access, trust, and reciprocity change the quality of discovery.
🤝 Teams
You'll work in teams of 2-3 students, formed on Wed Jan 14 around shared problem interests. Teams stay together for the full term. All team deliverables receive shared credit.
📦 Core Deliverables
📋 View detailed specs for all deliverables →
Note: Venture Log is tracked separately (10/12 entries required for C). Everything below = Core Deliverables.
Individual Work:
- Book-to-Venture Memos (3) – After each required book, 1-2 page memo connecting key ideas to your project
- Final Reflection – Your personal learning journey
- Peer Evaluation – Confidential assessment of team dynamics (due with Final Dossier)
Team Work:
- Challenge Brief & Research Plan – Scoped challenge + stakeholders + concrete research plan
- Fieldwork Evidence Pack – Min: 8 interviews + 60 min observation with usable notes
- Interpretation Pack – Needs statements, persona(s), customer journey map, 'How Might We' framing
- Ideation Pack – 50+ solution ideas, concept selection rationale, initial value props
- Prototype & Test Pack – Low-fi → higher-fi prototypes, test results, iteration notes
- Summit Booth Package – Demo, poster, 1-page handout, feedback-capture plan
- Final Venture Dossier – Evidence-based narrative of process, learnings, what's next
📈 Grading (Specifications / Bundles)
Work is assessed Satisfactory / Needs Revision against clear checklists. Final grades are earned by completing bundles of work at a satisfactory level.
This rewards iteration and learning (including failed ideas that generate strong evidence)!
🪙 Flexibility Tokens
You begin with 2 tokens!
A token can be used to:
- (a) Submit something late, OR
- (b) Revise and resubmit after an unsatisfactory mark
🏅 Grade Bundles
Up to 3 unexcused absences
All Core Deliverables
+ 9/11 Venture Log entries
Up to 2 unexcused absences
Everything in C
+ 2 Mastery Options
Up to 1 unexcused absence
Everything in B
+ 2 more Mastery Options
(4 total beyond C)
✨ Mastery Options (choose your adventure!):
Team work – shared credit. All mastery work is due with the Final Dossier (Apr 17). Suggested timing below.
- External validation depth – 6+ additional customer/user conversations with written synthesis [Sprint 1-2]
- Second prototype cycle – meaningful iteration based on test evidence; minimum 3 test sessions with documented learnings [Sprint 3]
- Go-to-market experiment – landing page + email capture + outreach campaign; report results with metrics [Sprint 3-4]
- Technical feasibility check – consult 4+ experts across technical, regulatory, and operational domains; produce feasibility matrix with go/no-go recommendation [Sprint 2-3]
- Funding narrative – draft crowdfunding page AND 1-page investor memo [Sprint 4]
- Operations plan – identify 3+ potential partners; milestone roadmap; budget with unit economics [Sprint 4]
📖 Required Books (3)
Application-first: these aren't just readings, they're tools!
Your Music and People
Creative and considerate fame
Relationship-building, generosity, audience, distribution. Includes the Gift-Giving Exercise!
Business Secrets of Drug Dealing
An Almost True Account
Operating under constraints: risk, trust, sourcing, pricing. Creates your team "Rules of the Game" list.
Co-Intelligence
Living and Working with AI
Using AI as co-worker/coach for research, synthesis, prototyping—with verification!
🗓 Course Schedule
(subject to iterative adjustment—we're entrepreneurs, after all!)
| Date | Module Focus | In-Class | Deliverable(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| SPRINT 1: Discovery & Interpretation | |||
| Mon Jan 12 | Orientation + course methods | ET-7 + design-thinking modules; studio norms; Venture Log setup | Prep: Read YM&P sections 1-3 (INTRO, CREATIVE, CONSIDERATE) for Wed discussion; bring 5 marked passages + 1 idea to test; sign up for X (Twitter) + follow 50 people in your area of business interest |
| Wed Jan 14 | Opportunity identification + Claude Code | Problem inventory; choose 2-3 candidate challenges; team formation around shared problems; Gift-giving exercise kickoff; Reading: YM&P sections 1-3 | Prep: Read YM&P sections 4-5 (PEOPLE, INDUSTRY) for next Wed; Gift Plan + recipient rationale for Friday |
| Fri Jan 16 | No class – deliverables only | DUE: Venture Log #1 (include Gift Plan + recipient rationale) | |
| Wed Jan 21 | Discovery methods | Interviewing practice; observation planning; empathy map; Reading: YM&P sections 4-5 | Prep: Read YM&P sections 6-7 (RESOURCEFUL, DESCRIBE) for next Wed |
| Fri Jan 23 | Make-up class (Mon schedule) | Fieldwork kickoff; interview script critique; recruiting participants | DUE: Challenge Brief + Research Plan (specs) + Gift-Giving Exercise (instructions) + Venture Log #2 (include gift response) |
| Mon Jan 26 | Discovery synthesis I | Share initial interviews; define what you don't know; research backlog | |
| Wed Jan 28 | Interpretation workshop | Affinity mapping; needs vs. solutions; evidence standards; Reading: YM&P sections 6-7 | Prep: Read YM&P sections 8-11 (TARGET → MINDSET) for next Wed; Fieldwork Evidence Pack for Friday |
| Fri Jan 30 | No class – deliverables only | DUE: Fieldwork Evidence Pack (specs) + Venture Log | |
| Mon Feb 02 | Interpretation workshop II | Personas + customer journey; emotional/cognitive/functional needs | |
| Wed Feb 04 | Framing to action | POV statements; 'How Might We'; prep for advisor panel; Reading: YM&P sections 8-11 (final) | Prep: Read Business Secrets ch 1-6 for Mon Feb 9 discussion; Interpretation Pack + Book Memo #1 for Friday |
| Fri Feb 06 | No class – deliverables only | DUE: Interpretation Pack (specs) + Book Memo #1 (specs) + Venture Log | |
| SPRINT 2: Ideation & Prototyping | |||
| Mon Feb 09 | Advisor Panel (Red/Yellow/Green) | Teams present framing + evidence; receive traffic-light feedback; Reading: Business Secrets ch 1-6 | Prep: Read Business Secrets ch 7-11 for Wed discussion |
| Wed Feb 11 | Decision making under uncertainty | Pivot/persevere/abandon memo; experiment backlog; team role clarity; Reading: Business Secrets ch 7-11 | Prep: Read Business Secrets ch 12-17 for Mar 4 discussion (read over break!) |
| Fri Feb 13 | No class – deliverables only | DUE: Venture Log — Include: What did you decide after the Advisor Panel (pivot/persevere/abandon)? What evidence drove the decision? What 3-5 experiments will you run next? | |
| Mon Feb 16 | Ideation sprint | 50 solutions; divergent thinking; constraint-based creativity | |
| Wed Feb 18 | Concept selection | Converge: shortlist; value props; quick concept tests | Prep for Friday: Ideation Pack |
| Fri Feb 20 | No class – deliverables only | DUE: Ideation Pack (specs) + Venture Log | |
| 🏝 Washington Break: Feb 23-27 – No Class 🏝 | |||
| Mon Mar 02 | Prototyping sprint I | Low-fi prototypes (sketch/lego/ad/pretotype); test plan | |
| Wed Mar 04 | Experiment design | Build–Measure–Learn; metrics that matter; rapid outreach; Reading: Business Secrets ch 12-17 (final) | Prep: Read Co-Intelligence Intro + ch 1-3 for Mon Mar 9 discussion; Prototype Pack v1 + Book Memo #2 for Friday |
| Fri Mar 06 | No class – deliverables only | DUE: Prototype Pack v1 (specs) + Book Memo #2 (specs) + Venture Log | |
| SPRINT 3: Testing & Summit | |||
| Mon Mar 09 | Prototyping sprint II | Narrow 3–10 → 1; higher-fidelity build; feasibility checks; Reading: Co-Intelligence Intro + ch 1-3 | Prep: Read Co-Intelligence ch 4-6 for Wed discussion |
| Wed Mar 11 | Testing day + iteration | Run tests; analyze; decide next iteration; Reading: Co-Intelligence ch 4-6 | Prep: Read Co-Intelligence ch 7-9 + Epilogue for Apr 1 discussion |
| Fri Mar 13 | No class – deliverables only | DUE: Venture Log | |
| Mon Mar 16 | Summit prep I | Booth narrative; poster layout; demo rehearsal; lead capture | |
| Wed Mar 18 | Summit prep II (mock booth) | Full dry run; critique; logistics; risk list | DUE: Booth Package (specs) |
| 🌟 Fri Mar 20 | 🚨 ENTREPRENEURSHIP SUMMIT – BOOTH SHOWCASE 🚨 Required course commitment – treat it as a major field test! |
||
| SPRINT 4: Go-to-Market & Close | |||
| Mon Mar 23 | Post-summit learning | Debrief; pattern-find; update assumptions; next experiments | |
| Wed Mar 25 | Venture model + feasibility | BMC update; revenue model; unit economics assumptions | |
| Fri Mar 27 | No class – deliverables only | DUE: Venture Log — Include: What feedback did you get at Summit? What surprised you? Which assumptions were validated or invalidated? What's changing based on what you learned? | |
| Mon Mar 30 | Go-to-market experiments | Acquisition channels; outreach scripts; partnerships | |
| Wed Apr 01 | Planning forward | Roadmap; budget; risks; compliance; what 'next' looks like; Reading: Co-Intelligence ch 7-9 + Epilogue (final) | Prep for Friday: Book Memo #3 + Venture Log (GTM focus) |
| Fri Apr 03 | No class – deliverables only | DUE: Book Memo #3 (specs) + Venture Log — Include: How will customers find you (first 10? first 100?)? What's your revenue model? What are your unit economics (cost per unit, revenue per unit, gross margin)? What financial assumptions need more testing? | |
| Mon Apr 06 | Final dossier studio | Peer review; evidence gaps; revision plan | |
| Wed Apr 08 | Final studio + showcase | Final share-out; course retrospective; close-out | Prep for Friday: Final Dossier + Reflection + Peer Eval |
| Fri Apr 17 | No class – deliverables only | DUE: Final Dossier (specs) + any Mastery Options + Final Reflection (specs) + Peer Evaluation (specs) + Venture Log #11 | |
⚠ Studio Policies & Expectations
🏪 Attendance
This is a studio course; being in the room—and actively participating—matters. Critique, workshop, and discussion only work when everyone contributes. Excused absences include documented illness and verified varsity/team obligations.
🕑 Late Work
Without a token, late work is not accepted. With a token, you may submit up to 72 hours late.
🤖 AI Tools Policy
You may use generative AI for brainstorming, drafting, analysis, coding, and rapid iteration. BUT:
- Treat outputs as untrusted – you're responsible for verification
- Keep an audit trail in your Venture Log (tool, prompt, what you used, what you checked)
- Do NOT fabricate interview data or represent AI output as participant quotes!
🎁 FREE TOOLS 🎁
You will receive paid access to the following tools for the entire course:
Build fast. Ship faster. On us!
📚 Academic Integrity
Follow university policies. Honesty in evidence and attribution is non-negotiable.
♿ Accessibility
If you have approved accommodations, please coordinate early so we can build them into the studio workflow.
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