Courses

Borrowing from physics to make an analogy, “escape velocity” is the momentum required for a budding idea to reach mainstream success. It entails crossing the chasm between attracting a niche customer base and having a rapidly expanding business, which requires keen insight, adaptability, and a robust strategy. This case-study-driven course does a deep dive into the chronicles of startups that have faced these challenges head-on and successfully navigated their growth trajectories. Zoom, Venmo, and Zapier are all examples of startups that went from a small group of initial customers to millions of mainstream customers with remarkable capital efficiency. We’ll look at the tactics these companies, and others like them, have used to attain mass market success and the lessons entrepreneurs can learn from these achievements. Through in-depth analysis, students will learn the strategies and patterns that facilitate such transitions. Beyond the rich content derived from these case studies, students will have the unique opportunity to interact with and learn directly from those at the heart of these success stories. Classes will feature guest appearances by startup founders and seasoned venture capitalists, providing firsthand narratives and insights. Students will learn the essential elements constituting startup growth victories. While the primary focus will remain on entrepreneurial ventures, this course's core principles and teachings will resonate deeply with nonprofits, NGOs, and social ventures, making the knowledge imparted universally applicable.