Digital Entrepreneurship

Course Description

Introduction to foundational concepts for starting and operating digital business, including business models, funding, strategic, operational, structural, and cultural components. IST 237 Digital Entrepreneurship (3) The proliferation of new IT combined with the reach of the Web, Internet, and mobile devices is opening up new possibilities for individuals and companies to leverage IT to create new digital businesses. This course provides a broad overview of the role of entrepreneurial thinking and innovation in advancing IT-focused businesses. Students will examine how these skills can be leveraged to create new IT-driven businesses as well as to create competitive advantage for existing businesses via new IT products and services (i.e., intrapreneurship). This course provides a broad overview of the role of entrepreneurial thinking and innovation in advancing IT-focused businesses and familiarizes students with the processes and tools used to conceptualize and plan new innovative products and/or services that leverage ITas a core component of their business model. Students will be introduced to concepts, tools, and principles of business management including business strategy, finance, marketing, human resources, and leadership within the context of IT business models. This will be a very hands-on active class. Using problem-based learning (PBL) and a “flipped” classroom, students will spend time outside class learning key concepts and time inside class applying them. Students will have the opportunity to work in teams to practice skills related to identifying novel ideas, assessing market opportunities, defining customer segments, identifying key partners, and building IT-based business models. In addition to regular in-class hands-on activities, each student will be expected to contribute to a class blog.