About This Course

This course describes the financial models and structures of business, as related to launching a particular design product, service or system. It introduces students to issues of organizational structure, for-profit and non-profit business activities, and methods of product introduction and distribution.


Core Concepts and Ideas

This class emphasizes the following main ideas, themes, and concepts:

  • Grant systems, including tradeoffs between various funding sources and the nature of grant writing and facilitation
  • Financial models, illustrating how to represent various fictional but realistic scenarios for funding
  • Project management, in order to successfully coordinate both public and private regulations, rules, and procedures
  • Non-profit law, methods, and tendencies

Outcomes and Competencies

The following outcome statements articulate the competencies, abilities, and skills a student will have as a result of completing this class. Students will...

  • Be able to write a cohesive plan for introducing a given design solution into the world, describing issues related to the value of the design, the business plan for introduction, the timeline and dependencies related to the solution, and plans for growth and continued refinement
  • Understand the methods of legal organizational structure that will enable a design solution to be successfully brought to fruition in society
  • Be able to appropriately describe the entrance (and, if necessary, exit) strategy for a given design solution
  • Be able to address – in both writing and in personal interactions – concerns of potential investors, donors, and other interested parties

Course Schedule

Class In Class Video Out of Class
1 Course Overview Read B Lab: Building a New Sector of the Economy 

Answer the Case Questions below and be prepared to present to the class. You will also be expected to challenge classmates on their answers. The intent is not to create divisiveness but rather to begin simulating the tough questions that customers and investors will expect you to answer.

Review the Innovation + Due Diligence and Growth Plan Checklist. Put together a plan and timeline for how you will have each item in place by the end of the quarter

Begin Reading E-Myth Revisited by Michael Gerber

Wed
2 & 3 Guest Expert: Josh Alexander Read the JumpStart Case 

Answer the Case Questions below and be prepared to present to the class. You will also be expected to challenge classmates on their answers. The intent is not to create divisiveness but rather to begin simulating the tough questions that customers and investors will expect you to answer.

Build a financial statement in Google docs

Review progress on Innovation + due diligence and growth plan timeline

Mon/Wed
4 & 5 In-Class Discussion Developing a Sales & Marketing Plan. 

WIP Review financial statement in Google docs. Integrate Five Year Growth Plan

WIP Review progress on Innovation + due diligence and growth plan timeline

Mon/Wed
6 & 7 Guest Expert: MariBen Ramsey Define your approach for the legal structure of your business 

WIP Review financial statement in Google docs

WIP Review progress on Innovation + due diligence and growth plan timeline

 

Mon/Wed
8 & 9 Guest Lecturer: Steven Tomlinson Continue developing materials Mon/Wed
10 & 11 Guest Expert: Chris Earthman Continue developing materials Mon/Wed
12 & 13 Guest Expert: Evan Loomis Continue developing materials Mon/Wed
14 & 15 Final presentation Mon/Wed