Jim Ellis

Lecturer

Jim Ellis

Lecturer in Management

Deans’ Liaison for Lecturers and Teaching Development
MBA Class of 1973 Lecturer for 2024–2025

Teaching Statement

Jim Ellis’ research and writings are focused on the topics of new venture formation and the effective management of small to mid-sized enterprises. Over the last several years he has worked closely with his faculty colleagues to refine course material related to the process of evaluating entrepreneurial opportunities. Mr. Ellis also works extensively with a number of diverse businesses as founder, investor, board member, and advisor.

Bio

Mr. Ellis is a lecturer in management at Stanford Graduate School of Business. He is currently teaching two strategic management courses that center around the early stages of the entrepreneurial process. These courses include Formation of New Ventures (S353), and Managing Growing Enterprises (S355). Mr. Ellis takes a personal interest and enjoys participating in and contributing to the learning process faced by each of his students.

Prior to coming to Stanford, Mr. Ellis held a number of positions with both large and small companies. In 1995, Mr. Ellis co-founded Asurion with Kevin Taweel to provide value-added solutions for the wireless communications industry. Previously responsible for Asurion’s sales and marketing efforts, Mr. Ellis is an active member of the company’s board of directors. Mr. Ellis has also held positions as a research associate at Stanford Graduate School of Business and as a consultant with IMG and Cresap, McCormick, and Paget. He is a member of a number of boards of directors including BUILD, Asurion, Service Source Inc., Memento Press, Half Moon Bay Brewing Company, and Southern California Risk Management Associates. Mr. Ellis holds an MBA from Stanford GSB and a bachelor’s degree with high honors in economics from Dartmouth College. He is also a recipient of Ernst and Young’s prestigious Entrepreneur of the Year award.

Academic Degrees

  • MBA, Stanford GSB, 1993
  • BA, Dartmouth, 1987

Academic Appointments

  • At Stanford since 2003

Professional Experience

  • Cofounder, Director, Asurion Corp., 1995–present
  • Founder, Director, Mill River, 1994–95
  • Case Writer, Stanford University, 1993–94

Awards and Honors

  • MBA Class of 1973 Lecturer, 2023–2024
  • MBA Class of 1973 Lecturer, 2022–23
  • MBA Class of 1973 Lecturer, 2021–22
  • MBA Class of 1973 Lecturer, 2020–21
  • MBA Class of 1973 Lecturer, 2019–20
  • MBA Class of 1973 Lecturer, 2018–19
  • MBA Class of 1973 Lecturer, 2017–18
  • Entrepreneur of the Year Award, Ernst & Young, 2001

Stanford Case Studies

Jim Ellis, Patricia Nakache, Lucy Montgomery
2021
E743
Jim Ellis, Jack Strabo
2021
E762
Jim Ellis, Imogen Mansfield
2021
H. Irving Grousbeck, David Dodson, Jim Ellis, Erika Feldhausen
2020
Garth Saloner, Jim Ellis, Jeffrey Conn
2018
Jim Ellis, Matt Saucedo
2017
H. Irving Grousbeck, Jim Ellis, Graham Weaver, Sara Rosenthal
2016
Jim Ellis, Jessica Morgan
2015
Jim Ellis
2014
E484
Jim Ellis, Justin Randolph
2014
Jim Ellis, Katherine Rudolph Bose
2013
Jim Ellis, Justin Randolph
2013
E423
Jeffrey Chambers, Michael Child, R. Ellis, Arar Han
2012
R. Ellis, Arar Han, Kevin Taweel
2012
Neel Bhatia, R. Ellis, J.P. Flaum, Arar Han
2011
Neel Bhatia, R. Ellis, J.P. Flaum, Arar Han
2011
Bethany Coates, R. Ellis, Lisa Sweeney
2010
Bethany Coates, R. Ellis, Lisa Sweeney
2010
Bethany Coates, R. Ellis, Lisa Sweeney, Anne Beyer
2010
Bethany Coates, R. Ellis, Lisa Sweeney
2010
R. Ellis, Lacey Wismer
2009
R. Ellis, Sean Harrington
2008
R. Ellis, Garth Saloner, Amanda Silverman
2008
Katherine Bose, R. Ellis
2008
Bethany Coates, R. Ellis
2007
R. Ellis, Sean Harrington
2007
Bethany Coates, R. Ellis
2007
Bethany Coates, R. Ellis
2007
R. Ellis, Alex Tauber
2006
R. Ellis, Garth Saloner, Alex Tauber
2006
Patrick Arippol, R. Ellis, Joshua Spitzer
2006
R. Ellis, Mike Harkey, Garth Saloner
2005
R. Ellis, Alicia Seiger
2004
Lauren Dutton, Jim Ellis, H. Grousbeck, Kevin Taweel
1995
Jim Ellis, H. Grousbeck
1994
H. Grousbeck, J. Ellis
1994
H. Grousbeck, J. Ellis
1994
H. Grousbeck, J. Ellis
1993

Service to the Profession

  • Member, MBA Curriculum Redesign Task Force
  • National Basketball Players Association Program

Board Member

  • Service Source
  • Half Moon Bay Brewing Company
  • Icon Aircraft
  • Memento Press
  • BUILD

Insights by Stanford Business

March 19, 2021
An interview with Zoom’s CEO. A crisis-leadership playbook. A podcast on virtual presentations. And a word on how to close shop gracefully.
May 28, 2020
Venture funding may be scarce right now, but it does exist — especially for ideas that meet the moment.
October 15, 2018
A little-known investment vehicle skyrockets young entrepreneurs into top roles.
October 20, 2017
Stanford GSB faculty and industry leaders help young executives of search fund companies navigate their new roles.

School News

October 04, 2024
An academy with Stanford GSB roots is preparing students from across the continent to return home as innovators and changemakers.