Curriculum

Innovation. Strategy. Leadership. The Seed Transformation Program focuses on all three.

In this rigorous curriculum, delivered through in-person and online sessions, you will gain the strategic skills, methodologies, and mindsets to transform your business and your community. And it’s all optimized for online and in-person components to take advantage of the strengths of both formats so you can engage with faculty, advisors, and peers.

The Stanford GSB approach is highly interactive and practical. Unlike a traditional classroom or typical online program, this 10-month journey will have you collaborating with peers and team members, brainstorming ideas, and learning by doing.

During expert- and faculty-led sessions, you will explore topics ranging from leadership and strategy, to accounting, marketing, design thinking and value chain innovations. The ultimate goal: to create your company’s transformation plan, a detailed action plan for your business with concrete steps to help you grow and scale.

In between faculty sessions, a Stanford business advisor will lead company workshops both in person at your company and online to help you and your team apply session tools and concepts to your company’s unique situation. The advisor will also provide support for your small peer group, called a Leadership Lab. In the final months of the program, you will present your Transformation Plan to the Seed team.

Overview

The in-person and online program, which is spread out over a period of 10 months, will include both live and online training sessions. Two in-person immersion weeks (weeklong classroom sessions) will take place in January and June 2024, with online learning taking place in between. Please note: the program schedule is subject to change.

Part 1: Assess Your Foundations

  • Strategy
  • Organizational Design
  • Leadership and Team Building
  • Business Model Canvas

Part 2: Stress Test Your Finances and Operations

  • Accounting
  • Operations
  • Value Chain Innovations

Part 3: Identify Your Growth Opportunities and Strategy

  • Product Innovation and Design Thinking
  • Marketing
  • Sales

Part 4: Build and Present Your Growth Plan

  • Managerial Performance Measurement
  • Human Resources
  • Corporate Governance
  • Finance and Investing

Live In-Person and Online Classes

The STP curriculum will help you gain essential business and leadership skills, from strategy and finance to marketing and sales, all taught by world-renowned Stanford faculty and business experts. It’s a unique opportunity to learn the innovative thinking that has shaped some of the most successful companies in Silicon Valley.

Transformation Studios

Led by Stanford business advisors — experienced local business leaders and advisors — these workshops will help you and your team apply learning across your company and help you generate buy-in to achieve company growth. Workshops are conducted both at your company and online.

Leadership Labs

Throughout the 10-month experience, you will work in person and online in small, facilitated peer groups called Leadership Labs to share experiences, resources, ideas, and support.

Transformation Plan

Following the conclusion of the structured curriculum, you will present and implement your Transformation Plan and continue to meet with your Leadership Lab. After presenting your Transformation Plan, you will receive a certificate of completion from Stanford Graduate School of Business.

Seed Transformation Network

Following completion of STP, you can stay engaged with Stanford Seed and other founders/CEOs. Together with over 1,000 current and former participants, you will become part of the Seed Transformation Network.