DESCRIPTION
Recommendation: As a next step in your business venture, we recommend completing the second course in this series, Small Business Entrepreneurship – Marketing a Business, after completing Starting a Business.
Small Business Entrepreneurship: Starting a Business (Course 1)
Rice University’s online business courses for entrepreneurs provide a convenient, yet interactive and hands-on, way to learn or brush up on practical entrepreneurship skills. This course is designed to equip aspiring entrepreneurs with the essential knowledge and skills required to turn innovative ideas into successful and sustainable ventures.
Taught by industry professionals from Rice Business, the #1-ranked Entrepreneurship Graduate Program in the U.S. (Princeton Review, Entrepreneur Magazine), learners will explore the entire entrepreneurial journey, from conceptualizing a business idea to crafting a business model canvas, pitch deck and business plan draft. Through a combination of engaging lectures, practical case studies, group discussions, interviews, and hands-on exercises, students will gain invaluable insights into the principles and best practices that define successful small business ventures.
Who should attend:
- Aspiring entrepreneurs, start-up founders, or small business owners
- MBA students or college students majoring in business or a related subject
- Current small business owners, entrepreneurs, or leaders who need help crafting a business model canvas, pitch deck, or business plan draft
You will be able to:
- Generate and assess business ideas, identifying their market potential and feasibility through market research and validation techniques.
- Identify the elements of a modern business model and plan, including financial projections, marketing strategies, operational structure, and risk analysis.
- Explore various sources of funding for small businesses, from bootstrapping and angel investors to venture capital and crowdfunding.
- Familiarize yourself with marketing strategies to reach target audiences, build a strong brand identity, and create a competitive advantage in the market.
- Develop the entrepreneurial mindset required to tackle challenges, bounce back from failures, and stay motivated throughout your entrepreneurial journey.
LECTURE SAMPLES
MEET YOUR RICE PROFESSORS
Craig Ceccanti
Craig a is the Chief Operating Officer (COO) at Softeq Development Corporation, a technology consulting and full-stack development firm based in Houston. In his role as COO, Craig is responsible for overseeing the daily operations of the company, focusing on optimizing processes to ensure efficient functioning. Craig is also a Managing Partner at Softeq Venture Fund, a fund dedicated to fostering the growth of early-stage tech startups. This unique dual role enables him to channel his passions for operational excellence, exceptional customer experience, and the flourishing of the startup ecosystem. He has remained involved at Rice University as an Adjunct Professor and Board of Advisors member for the Jones School of Business.
Al Danto
Al Danto is the Senior Lecturer in Entrepreneurship and teaches the Executive MBA New Enterprise Class, the Enterprise Acquisition class and their corresponding E-Labs which give students the opportunity to work on their own startup company or begin the search for a business to acquire. Al has served as lead representative on a wide range of business acquisitions and has proven experience working with lenders, private equity groups and individual purchasers. He has served on a variety of boards, including the alumni board of the Jones Graduate School of Business at Rice University and the Entrepreneurs Organization.
EXPLORE RELATED BUSINESS COURSES
CONTACT
Any questions? Please e-mail riceonline@rice.edu