Welcome to ENTR 430

This course puts you in the driver’s seat as an entrepreneur and requires you to work through much of the new product development process. Navigation through this process will not occur in isolation, however. You will work in small teams to create an idea and document the process, ultimately allowing you to leave this course and move into refining the idea or creating another until the product is able to be commercialized and distributed to a targeted consumer.

As the instructor of this course, I serve two purposes. First, I am a facilitator, guiding your learning experience through the resources within this course. Second, I will be your mentor, lending experience and expertise to assist with your individual needs. I may also be able to connect you to other people with the experience and expertise you are looking for. Each of you is coming to this course from a different place in the entrepreneurial path. Some are looking for inspiration and validation, while others are in development, production, or distribution of a product. Our goal for this course is to provide an experience that will help you further develop your product regardless of its current status.

As you progress through this first week module, read every page very carefully so that you have a clear understanding of how the course should be completed, including individual and team expectations. These modules, including this first week module, should be completed at your earliest convenience. Don’t procrastinate until the end of an instructional week, as time management and collaboration are among the most significant requirements of the course. Please reach out if you have any questions and concerns, and good luck in your journey!

Lesson Objectives

• Familiarize yourself with the content and expectations of the course.
• Align your personal entrepreneurial goals with the goals of the course.
• Form a community of thinkers and collaborators to assist in the new product development process.