Entrepreneurship 101:

Introduction to venture creation

Overview

This class is an intensive Ivy League quality introduction to venture creation. Following the same approach that Professor Tyler Wry uses to teach entrepreneurship at the Wharton School, the course is a 'hands-on' learning experience where students will work with their peers to identify, develop, and test a new venture idea. The course will culminate with a live pitch competition, where students will present their ventures to a panel of potential investors.

The deliverables in the class are designed to prepare students for a successful pitch, and to lay the foundation for further development of their ventures. To this end, each team will develop: (1) a strong and well-researched business plan, and; (2) an investor pitch deck. Students will also do a practice pitch in the last class session, which they will be given extensive feedback on before going ‘live’ in front of the investors.

Students will be encouraged to work on an idea that has high growth potential and distinguishes itself from existing companies through innovation – for example, through an innovative product or service, an innovative production process, a new business model, or a new market.

 

Prerequisites

  • Proficiency in English (TOEFL 80+)
    • A TOEFL score of 80-90 will require an interview with the Academy.
  • Strong Presentation, Communication and Research Skills
  • Innovation Experience
  • Ability to Think Creatively
 

Instructor

Tyler Wry

 

Tyler Wry is a professor at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and a number of ventures that have gone through his class are now venture funded. He studies hybrid ventures, which are organizations that simultaneously pursue goals associated with different meaning systems: for example, biotechnology companies that integrate scientific discovery and technology commercialization, and social enterprises that work to generate profits while addressing social issues.  These organizations have the potential to generate important commercial and social innovations, but also face a number of unique challenges, particularly in the startup stage of development.  Building on this, Tyler’s research focuses on how hybrids emerge, attract resources, and succeed in competitive marketplaces.

Tyler’s work has appeared in outlets such as the Academy of Management Annals, the Academy of Management Journal, the Academy of Management Review, the Journal of Business Venturing, and Organization Science.  He is also a member of the Academy of Management Journal and the Academy of Management Review Editorial Boards.  In his spare time, Tyler is a tired dad who enjoys an occasional game of squash.

Awards and Honors

  • Best published paper, Academy of Management Journal (finalist), 2015

  • Grigor McClelland Doctoral Dissertation Award Winner (for innovative scholarship in management and organization theory), 2012

  • Pondy Best Dissertation Paper Award, finalist, 2012

  • Academy of Management Best Paper Proceedings (2 papers), 2012

  • Academy of Management Best Paper Proceedings (2 papers), 2011

  • Best International Paper Award, Academy of Management, OMT Division, 2011

  • Carolyn Dexter Award (best international paper), Academy of Management, 2011

  • Emerald IJGE & WAIB Emerging Scholar Award, finalist, 2011

  • WAIB Award for increased gender awareness in international business research, finalist, 2011

  • Academy of Management Best Paper Proceedings (1 paper), 2010

  • Andrew Stuart Memorial Graduate Prize for Doctoral Research, 2008

  • Graduate Student Teaching Award, University of Alberta, 2008

  • Queen Elizabeth II Doctoral Scholarship, 2006

  • Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada Doctoral Fellowship, 2006

  • Walter H. Johns Graduate Fellowship, 2006

  • Arbutus Award – Volunteer of the year, Big Brothers Big Sisters, 2003

 

FEE POLICIES

Parents and/or guardians can receive an 75 percent tuition refund by submitting a written withdrawal request to PAA no later than two weeks after the course start date. Students who withdraw from a course two weeks prior to the start date will receive a full refund of tuition paid. Refunds may take up to five business days to process for electronic payment. Paper check refunds take two to four weeks to process from the time that withdrawal notification is received. Application fees will not be refunded. Send withdrawal requests to apply@paacademy.org. Students who withdraw or fail to participate after the two-week withdrawal period are not eligible for refunds. Students who violate the Student Code of Conduct may be withdrawn from the program without refund.

Note about textbooks: Some courses require the separate purchase of a textbook or other course materials. See the specific course description for details. If your course requires the purchase of materials, please order the materials well in advance of the start date.