MSIM Course Outline

Students learn what questions to ask and actions to take at various phases of new product evolution. Emphasis is placed on customer input and cross-functional team roles and responsibilities. The central focus of this course is the development of a new product concept by cross-functional student teams that integrates learning from other first-semester courses. The student teams formally present their concepts at the end of the semester and develop effective techniques to present to senior management and/or prospective investors.

Developing the marketing strategy, positioning, messaging, branding, and driving implementation of marketing programs for technology ventures will be covered in this course, along with the essentials of concise, compelling, and clear business communications in a digital age. Students learn and apply principles of effective written and oral communication for different purposes and different audiences in the workplace and on digital platforms.

Finance for High-Tech Ventures is strategically designed to give you the ability to analyze the financial aspects of a company’s product or service offerings, to evaluate the bottom-line impact of systems and processes, and communicate this information effectively—skills that are essential for anyone launching a startup or leading a company’s new business development efforts. This hands-on course includes business case analysis and a capstone project that entails the creation of a fully vetted financial plan for a new product or service.

Students learn the basic concepts of leadership, management and teamwork. The uniqueness of this course is within the teaching methodology, which has been developed to accelerate the advancement of self-awareness and interpersonal competencies. Specific topics include: personality types (Myers-Briggs type indicator assessment), best practices in forming and maintaining team performance, giving and receiving feedback, individual and team creativity, communicating to inspire and influencing without authority. The course builds toward systems thinking, team decision making, communication across cultures, shared visions and organizational change.

• Innovators Mindset Series (Periodic Events/Lectures): Designed to expose you to stimulating and interesting people, places, and experiences.
  • Unbounded Perspectives Seminars (3 sessions/3 hours each for the semester)
  • Other Events/Lecturers/Company Visits as scheduled to inspire your creativity & learn from local, cutting-edge leaders
• Career and Personal Development: Year-long comprehensive program supports your professional development and prepares you for your future. Learn how to market yourself and navigate the job search through seminars on topics like resume writing, interviewing and networking. (1.5 hours/week)

Foundational skills for data science practice in business. Using data and systematic methods to generate business value. Shaping data practices within organizations. Students will learn to do data analytics with Python and open source tools including Jupyter and GitHub.

Students gain the knowledge and skills to lead and manage innovation initiatives in technology-based companies. Topics include understanding technology strategy and its role in the overall business strategy of commercial firms, the role of innovation in entrepreneurial ventures as well as in established firms, and developing skills to present new product development proposals to senior management and/or prospective investors.

• Innovators Mindset Series (Periodic Events/Lectures): Designed to expose you to stimulating and interesting people, places, and experiences.
  • Unbounded Perspectives Seminars (3 sessions/3 hours each for the semester)
  • Other Events/Lecturers/Company Visits as scheduled to inspire your creativity & learn from local, cutting-edge leaders
• Career and Personal Development: Year-long comprehensive program supports your professional development and prepares you for your future. Learn how to market yourself and navigate the job search through seminars on topics like resume writing, interviewing and networking. (1.5 hours/week)

The most real-world experience yet.

Choose from a variety of hands-on industry experiences to build your resume & your real-world connections, all within the Capstone Innovation & Leadership Project.

Options include:

• Internship or full-time job: Gain valuable industry experience through an internship or launch your innovation career as a full-time employee at a company anywhere in the world.
• Entrepreneur: Continue working on your previous Sprint project(s) with the goal of turning it into a stand-alone venture.