Entr 6218
Entr 6218
Entr 6218
SCHOOL OF BUSINESS
ENTR 6218 Business Model Design/Innovation
SYLLABUS V3.0
INSTRUCTOR Gregory Collier
OFFICE HOURS TBD
COURSE DESCRIPTION
Ever wonder how a Unicorn is conceived as a startup to grow to a billion dollar plus
valuation? In this course we will explore the nature of business models, which form the basis
of any enterprise in a market economy. A business model is a mechanism serving two purposes:
creating value for organizational stakeholders (most important, customers and partners), and
ensuring that sufficient part of this value is retained for the organization and its owners. The
course covers major topics in the modern understanding of business models; their essence and
role in securing competitive advantage, key components and design of business models,
business model change and innovation, technology commercialization through sustaining
business models, financial representation of business models and business model change, and
validation of developed business models.
The first section of the course considers dynamic entrepreneurial startup strategy from three
perspectives: positioning of the venture within a dynamic, evolving industrial ecosystem which
includes major companies, startups, and universities at various parts of the value-
chain; different sources of innovation, including open innovation and industry-wide technology
platforms; and basic business model structures for products, systems, and services.
The next section then explores the architecture of a business model and uses addition cases to
explore different types of interesting, dynamic business models. We will look at the meaning of
value creation for customers as well as the company, and within this, the interaction of revenue
models with resource models to produce operating profit. We will also examine the impact of a
business model on capital requirements for startup and growth. And then, the special role that
social ventures play in the business model conversation. Business model renewal for
companies in bad shape will also be examined.
Throughout the semester, students will be asked to prepare and partake in a series of case
study conversations. Students will then be asked to do an individual analysis of a company of