Summer Institute For Entrepreneurship Curriculum

The Summer Institute for Entrepreneurship utilizes a combination of lectures, team projects, small group discussions, workshops, and guest speakers to give the participants a comprehensive experience and a solid understanding of the process of starting a new business venture.

Venture Project

One of the main goals of the Summer Institute for Entrepreneurship is to give participants tangible skills and substantive understanding of the process of launching a new business venture. Participants will work collaboratively in teams for the program duration to develop an innovative business plan. Tools learned in classroom sessions, small group discussions, and workshops help give participants in-depth knowledge of the challenges that face any entrepreneur. Teams will also have exposure to local entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, and presentation consultants to aid with idea development. Learn how to formulate a winning business plan and effectively present your final venture project to a panel of entrepreneurs, executives and venture capitalists.

Participants are given tools and resources such as:

• Private team consulting sessions with Venture Capitalists from prominent Silicon Valley firms
• Videotaped presentation practice and pitch sessions with GSB Mastery Communications Program
• Final Project Presentation Lectures on how to structure and prepare a business plan timeline
• Networking with successful entrepreneurs and top business leaders

Building professional networks

One of the components of the program is the relationships that are fostered with Silicon Valley entrepreneurs. We draw from the economic diversity of the region to explore different industries and business models ranging from early start-ups to large firms. Guest speakers from leading companies often joint sessions and social events.

Of course, the best networking time is spent after class. In the evening, participants extensively work together on group projects and build the foundation for strong relationships. When asked about the most rewarding part of the program, many participants cite the caliber of their fellow students. Learning from each other is a natural benefit of the program.

GlaxoSmithKline Fellows

The JP and Danyele Garnier Fellowship, in support of the Stanford Graduate School of Business Summer Institute for Entrepreneurship, was established by GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) in May of 2008 in honor of retiring CEO, Dr. Jean-Pierre Garnier, MBA '74. As a tribute to Dr. Garnier's legacy, GSK is pleased to provide funds that will ensure that Dr. Garnier will continue to have an impact in shaping the next generation of principled, innovative and insightful business leaders. GSK has a challenging and inspiring mission: to improve the quality of human life by enabling people to do more, feel better, and live longer. It is the hope of GSK that recipients of this recognition will have the same goals and will work towards finding solutions to solve the many challenges facing the world today.

At the conclusion of the program each year, five participants will receive special recognition as JP and Danyele Garnier Fellows. These participants will be given this honor in recognition of exemplary performance throughout the program which greatly increased the experience for all who participated – both students and faculty - as well as the anticipated impact the program will have on the participants as they move forward as entrepreneurs.