BUS 217 Z — Accelerate Your Startup Idea
Quarter: Spring
Instructor(s): Bret Waters
Date(s): Apr 10—May 29
Class Recording Available: Yes
Class Meeting Day: Wednesdays
Class Meeting Time: 7:00—8:50 pm (PT)
Tuition: $610
Refund Deadline: Apr 12
Unit(s): 1
Status: Closed
Quarter: Spring
Day: Wednesdays
Duration: 8 weeks
Time: 7:00—8:50 pm (PT)
Date(s): Apr 10—May 29
Unit(s): 1
Tuition: $610
Refund Deadline: Apr 12
Instructor(s): Bret Waters
Recording Available: Yes
Status: Closed
This fast-paced entrepreneurship course is designed to be a highly collaborative experience in which the class works together to refine startup ideas and make them launch-ready in just eight weeks. Based on the lean startup methodology developed by Eric Ries and Steve Blank, the course will look at such startup issues as product/market fit and developing a minimum viable product that can be rapidly iterated upon for success. We’ll also dive deeply into the operational details of the entire startup process, from legal structures to financial models, along with financing options such as venture capital, angel capital, and impact capital. The course will culminate with “pitch night,” when students will have the opportunity to present to Silicon Valley executives and investors who will give feedback and offer coaching. Whether your idea is still only a sketch on a napkin or already attracts customers, or whether you are working on a tech startup, a family business, or a social venture, the goal is for you to leave the course with an actionable business plan for a sustainable enterprise.
This is the first course of a two-course sequence on startups. The second course, BUS 219: “Startup Escape Velocity: From Early Idea to Mainstream Success” (Winter 2025), builds upon the content covered in this course. However, each course can be taken independently as well.
Students can choose to attend this course on campus or online. Sign up for Section H if you think you might attend class on the Stanford campus at least once. There is no commitment—you can still choose to attend via Zoom for any session. Sign up for Section Z if you know you will exclusively attend via Zoom.
BRET WATERS
Silicon Valley Investor; Entrepreneur
Bret Waters has founded three venture-funded startup companies, built teams, and run the companies through successful exits. He is a former member of Stanford’s Graduate School of Education Advisory Council. He works with social entrepreneurs from around the world at the Miller Center for Social Entrepreneurship and is the author of a new book, The Launch Path: Getting from a Startup Idea to a Launch-Ready Venture. Waters received an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern. Textbooks for this course:
There are no required textbooks; however, some fee-based online readings may be assigned.