First Latin American Stanford Ignite Program Launches

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This August, Stanford GSB will launch its first Stanford Ignite certificate program in Santiago, Chile. | Flickr photo by jikatu

This August, Stanford Graduate School of Business will launch its first Stanford Ignite certificate program in innovation and entrepreneurship in Latin America. Stanford Ignite-Santiago is now accepting applications for its new part-time program that will run over seven three-day weekends from August 8 until October 26, 2014, at Microsoft Chile. Prospective participants may apply online before May 9.

Stanford Ignite draws on the same world-class Stanford GSB faculty who teach in the MBA program. “Program participants will have the opportunity to interact closely with, and actually practice the concepts taught by, my colleagues who are leading experts in their respective fields, such as entrepreneurship, finance, negotiation, marketing, and others,” said Yossi Feinberg, John G. McCoy-Banc One Corporation Professor of Economics and Stanford Ignite faculty director. “Adding local expertise and cultural context to the program, we will also bring in experienced entrepreneurs, prominent corporate, venture, and angel investors. These experts will be guest speakers, panelists, and mentors to provide candid, real-world feedback on team projects.”

The site of the first Stanford Ignite program to be offered in Latin America, the Santiago program is designed to deliver the same highly personal and innovative instruction that students at Stanford experience on campus. The course will teach innovators in Chile how to formulate, develop, and commercialize their ideas. Participants will learn core business skills and experience working in a team to evaluate and develop ideas into a business plan. Stanford Ignite is appropriate for individuals who wish to bring innovation and entrepreneurial thinking to their current role, and for those who are planning to start a new venture.

Microsoft Chile is the facility host in Santiago. Stanford GSB faculty will deliver course curricula through a combination of in-person class sessions in Santiago, and from Stanford through state-of-the-art, high-definition distance learning technology.

Intended for individuals who do not have graduate business training, Stanford Ignite applicants must be currently enrolled students in a master’s, PhD, MD, or post-doctoral program studying non-business fields; or must be professionals with a minimum of a bachelor’s (BA or BS) degree. Advanced degrees preferred. Classes meet Friday evenings, and all day Saturdays and Sundays, with additional meetings as needed for project work.

Up to 50 offers of admission will be made on a rolling basis until applications close on Friday, May 9, 2014. Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit all materials as soon as possible. A complete application will contain: the finished online application, a resume, a series of short essays, and two letters of recommendation. Tuition is US$10,000 and includes course materials, some meals, and program events. A limited number of scholarships will be made available for admitted applicants who demonstrate financial need.

“Stanford Ignite participants have started over 100 successful companies since the program was introduced at Stanford in 2007,” said Bethany Coates, assistant dean and director of Stanford Global Innovation Programs. “The Santiago ‘Stanford Igniters’ will join a global network of high-impact innovators and entrepreneurs.”

“Microsoft has a deep commitment to innovation and its impact on the development of Chile,” said Luiz Marcelo Marrey, General Manager, Microsoft Chile. “This is why this great opportunity motivates us: through the alliance with Stanford University, we are driving the development of human talent in Chile, supporting the success of new start-ups, motivating young people to start new ventures through technology, and fostering the expansion of a vital ecosystem for innovation.”

“For Microsoft, innovation is at the core of the country’s economic growth,” said Wilson Pais, Country Innovation Manager, Microsoft Chile. “Therefore, the alliance with the prestigious Stanford University to bring its first Stanford Ignite Program in innovation and entrepreneurship to Latin America is a source of pride for our company.”

By Helen Chang