This course provides an integrated strategy framework for growth-oriented entrepreneurs. The course is structured to provide a deep understanding of the core strategic choices facing startups, a framework for the development and implementation of entrepreneurial strategy in dynamic environments, and the ability to scale those ventures over time.  The course identifies the key choices entrepreneurs make to take advantage of an opportunity and how particular strategic commitments and positions allow entrepreneurs to create a competitive advantage. 

The course combines interactive lectures and case analyses focused on existing startups who are trying to operate in today’s entrepreneurial economy.  The course draws on a rapidly emerging body of research in entrepreneurial strategy that moves beyond the “one size fits all” approach to start-ups and instead focuses on the key choices that founders face as they start and scale their business.  The cases and assignments offer an opportunity to integrate and apply the entrepreneurial strategy framework in a practical way, and draw from a diverse range of industries and settings.

The class is designed to be particularly appropriate for those seeking to:

• Become a growth entrepreneur
• Work in a startup company with influence on strategy development or implementation
• Have a career as an investment professional who has to evaluate growth oriented startup
• Practice as a management consultant whose practice focuses on innovation–driven firms, high growth industry segments, or industry segments
• Work in the “entrepreneurial side” of a large company developing wholly new product lines and spin-offs of novel technologies and solutions.

Jorge Guzman

Associate Professor of Business

Dr. Jorge Guzman is an assistant professor at the Management Division in Columbia Business School. Jorge received his PhD from the Sloan School of Management  at MIT, and was previously a postdoc at the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) and a lecturer at MIT Sloan.  His research focuses on entrepreneurship policy, regional entrepreneurship, and entrepreneurial strategy.  He was previously involved...

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