ENES140 Discovering New Ventures: Foundations in Entrepreneurship
In this course, students dive into the world of startups by designing and developing their own venture. Along the way, they build essential skills in business, strategy, and leadership—foundational tools for launching and growing new enterprises.
We explore how to:
- Create your own startup ideas,
- Evaluate the feasibility of startup ideas,
- Apply proven frameworks for planning and launching a business, and
- Navigate the challenges of managing early-stage ventures.
Students also examine the traits and talents of successful entrepreneurs, learn to identify promising opportunities, and gain tools for making decisions in uncertain environments. Throughout, we engage with real-world case studies, hands-on exercises, and rich discussions on the key issues that shape entrepreneurial success.
A brief overview of our course topics—and a sample of our online lecture style—is presented in this video.
Course Topics
Module 1: Introduction to Startup Entrepreneurship and Corporate Innovation
This module includes a welcome to the course, an orientation to our teaching approach and faculty, and an introduction to the fundamentals of entrepreneurship and innovation.
Module 2: Entrepreneurial Mindset
What role does need for achievement play in your decisions? What level of influence do friends and family have in your decision making? Do you have an internal or external locus of control? What techniques can you use to focus your time and resources? How can you improve your level of optimism?
Module 3: Entrepreneurial Motivation
Do you believe that you have the capabilities to be successful as an entrepreneur? Do you enjoy collecting information and doing analysis before making decisions? How can you increase your comfort level with making strategic decisions quickly, with limited information and high consequences?
Module 4: Entrepreneurial Behavior
How can you improve your confidence level and risk tolerance? What resources can you use to enhance your interpersonal relationship skills? How can you grow your social capital?
Module 5: Industry Condition
What knowledge do you possess that can contribute to serving a market need? What are the demand conditions in the market?
Module 6: Industry Status
What is the lifecycle stage of the industry that you are interested in entering? What is the capital intensity within your chosen industry? What is the advertising intensity within your chosen industry? What is the company concentration within your chosen industry? What is the average company size within your chosen industry?
Module 7: Macroeconomic Change
What demographic changes are creating business opportunities for new ventures? What psychographic changes are creating business opportunities for new ventures? How can you stay current on technical advancements that are emerging? How can you stay current on societal changes that are emerging? How can you stay current on political and regulatory changes that are emerging?
Module 8: Competition
What is the learning curve in your industry and market of interest? What complementary assets are most critical in your industry and market of interest? How does the reputation of competitors influence your success?
Module 9: Value Innovation
Using the principles of value innovation, what existing factors can you eliminate? Where can you reduce factors and not reduce value? Which factors can you raise to exceed customer expectations? What new factors can you create that will bring new values in new ways to customers?
Module 10: Opportunity Identification
What evidence can you provide that your proposed problem is significant? What key customer values does your solution offer? How will you make your advantages superior and sustainable? What steps will you take to build the right team at the right time?
Learning Experience
Asynchronous Lectures
Coaching and Mentoring
Live Office Hours
Peer Interactions and Networking
Project-Based Learning
Real-World Assignments
Learner Testimonials
Anthony Casalena
Founder and CEO, Squarespace
Faculty
James V. Green
Managing Director of Learning and Development
Maryland Technology Enterprise Institute
University of Maryland
Dr. James V. Green leads the education activities of the Maryland Technology Enterprise Institute (Mtech) in the A. James Clark School of Engineering at the University of Maryland. He leads the Minor in Technology Entrepreneurship and Corporate Innovation, Master of Professional Studies in Technology Entrepreneurship and Corporate Innovation, and Master of Professional Studies in Product Management. In 2020, he was awarded the Dean's Outstanding Performance Award in Teaching for Professional Track Faculty. In 2011, he earned first prize in the 3E Learning Innovative Entrepreneurship Education Competition presented at the United States Association for Small Business and Entrepreneurship (USASBE) annual conference to recognize college educators who have created new and challenging learning activities that actively involve students in the entrepreneurial experience. Dr. Green's research interests include entrepreneurship education and the psychology of entrepreneurship. He is a national presenter on entrepreneurship education with refereed papers and presentations at conferences for the Academy of Management (AOM), the United States Association for Small Business and Entrepreneurship (USASBE), the American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE), and the National Collegiate Inventors and Innovators Alliance (NCIIA).
Prior to the University of Maryland, Dr. Green held founder, executive, and operational roles with multiple startups to include WaveCrest Laboratories, an innovator in next-generation electric and hybrid-electric propulsion and drive systems (acquired by Magna International, NYSE: MGA); Cyveillance, a software startup and world leader in cyber intelligence and intelligence-led security (acquired by QinetiQ, LSE: QQ.L); and Netmentors, an online mentoring and tutoring platform for K-12 students. Dr. Green earned a Doctor of Management and an MS in Technology Management from the University of Maryland Global Campus, an MBA from the University of Michigan, and a BS in Industrial Engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Are there any face-to-face meetings?
No. This course is delivered 100% online—no in-person meetings are required.
2. Is there a specific time we meet online?
No. This is an asynchronous course. All lectures, discussions, and materials are available online for you to access at your convenience. This flexibility allows you to build a study schedule that fits your personal and academic commitments—no fixed meeting times.
3. Does this course count toward General Education requirements?
Yes. It fulfills the Scholarship in Practice (DSSP) General Education requirement.
4. Is this course part of a minor?
Yes. This is the first course in the Minor in Technology Entrepreneurship and Corporate Innovation. However, it is open to all students—you do not need to be enrolled in the minor to take the course.
5. What kinds of assignments are included?
Assignments include:
- Evaluations: Designed to give you real-time feedback based on your responses; graded for completion.
- Open-book quizzes: Test your understanding of key weekly topics.
- Term project: You’ll apply what you’ve learned by developing a personalized Opportunity Analysis Canvas, which could serve as the foundation for a real startup venture.
6. Will I work individually or as part of a team?
Most assignments are completed individually, but there is one optional team activity. For that, you can collaborate using Canvas tools (e.g., file sharing, discussion boards, chat), Zoom, or any platform you prefer.
7. Do I need a technical background or prerequisites?
No. Despite the ENES course code (due to being offered by the A. James Clark School of Engineering), this course is not technical in nature and requires no prior experience or prerequisites.
Ready to enroll?
We invite you to join us at www.testudo.umd.edu.
