Launching New Ventures focuses on the evaluation, development and potential launch of a new business. Working individually (or on occasion in pairs), students spend the entire term developing an effective and comprehensive presentation of a real business concept by addressing five key issues: in-depth market analysis, product or service design, development of a marketing campaign, assessment of human resource requirements and building a realistic financial forecast. The output will be a comprehensive business plan and a formal presentation of their idea. 

Students are expected to come with a specific business idea or at least a sincere interest in a particular industry in which they would like to explore the possibility of launching a venture. Projects can be based upon students' own ideas, new technologies from the Columbia Innovation Enterprise or other start-ups that have requested assistance from Columbia MBA students. Industry mentors and a board of directors composed of other class participants provide a reality check as students refine their business opportunity into a written and oral presentation ready to seek funding and commence operations. Faculty members assist in identifying projects, but students are responsible for finding appropriate projects. By the second week of class, all students must have an approved venture project.

Brendan Burns

Adjunct Associate Professor of Business

Brendan Burns has spent over 20 years at leading technology, graphic arts and financial institutions including Culture.tech, 1000|Museums, Moody’s Investors Service, Salomon Brothers, and AdOne, an Internet software pioneer. For the past 10 years Burns has managed consulting, advisory and strategic growth assignments under Stepping Stone Capital Partners and Stepstone Art Resources.

Since 2004, Burns has been a professor and senior lecturer...

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Dave Lerner

Adjunct Associate Professor of Business

Dave was appointed Director of Entrepreneurship at Columbia University in 2013. In his five years with Columbia Entrepreneurship he’s helped launch the Columbia Startup Lab, the Columbia Design Studio, Startup Law Studio and a host of new tech programs and curricula throughout the university’s many schools. He...

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