Entrepreneurship and Innovation Major Option

3 Credits | Prerequisites: Sophomore Standing; ENTR 121 or ENTR 321

Cannot be taken Pass/No Pass.

Covers the creative skills fundamental to the process of identifying and exploiting entrepreneurial opportunities and the analytical toolkit needed to explore the feasibility of an entrepreneurial opportunity. Integrates experiential exercises, thought leadership in the field, and case study analysis to hone in on the critical importance of the entrepreneurial mindset to society. A variety of contexts are considered, including traditional small businesses, social/non-profit organizations, and innovative efforts within established firms

3 Credits | Prerequisites: Sophomore Standing; ENTR 121 or ENTR 321

Cannot be taken Pass/No Pass.

Experiential exploration of the critical decisions required to move from an idea to a viable new venture. Focus on identifying meaningful problems to solve, validating customer demand, and assessing the market landscape for both for-profit and nonprofit ventures. Emphasis on real-world choices founders face - when to move forward, pivot, or walk away. Teams experience the dynamics of co-founding a venture, with individual projects approved at the instructor's discretion. Includes creation of a complete venture plan with financial projections and a pro forma income statement, culminating in a final presentation. Exposure to AI tools enhances critical thinking and supports evidence-based decision making.

1 Credit

Application of entrepreneurial and design thinking principles to life and career planning. Focus on integrating work and worldviews, ideation techniques, and strategies for thriving through balance and energy. Exploration of creative problem solving and decision-making tools used by entrepreneurs to design meaningful career pathways. Emphasis on developing an Odyssey Plan outlining actions for personal and professional growth after graduation.

1 Credit | Prerequisites: Permission of the Center for Entrepreneurship

Exploration of advanced concepts in franchising through direct engagement with franchise conventions and industry professionals. Focus on franchise operations, relationships between franchisors and franchisees, and strategies for growth and innovation within franchise systems. Emphasis on professional communication, networking, and application of entrepreneurial principles in franchise settings.

1 Credit

Provides an opportunity to experience the highs, lows, fun, and pressure of developing a business idea and working in a startup environment. Understand the challenging trade-offs entrepreneurs face as they launch a new business, product, service, or process. Identify and evaluate potential business opportunities in the marketplace using established tools. Formulate and justify a pitch for a new product or service.

1 Credit

Open to students of all majors and colleges at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln; Some sections may include mentors from the community who are local entrepreneurs and business community members from the entrepreneurship ecosystem in Lincoln and Omaha.

Provide a real-world look at raising money for "start-up companies" and why it matters. Open-forum discussion, practical application exercises, and examination of real-world case studies.

1 Credit

Develop your creativity by examining it within the context of entrepreneurship. Learn how entrepreneurial processes can develop our creative abilities in a variety of contexts, including (but not limited to) the new business context.

1 Credit

Introduction to the basic concepts of how to present yourself and ideas in a compelling manner. Explore how to prepare, design, and deliver a persuasive presentation. Utilize lectures, readings, discussions, reflection papers, and presentations to develop presentation or 'pitch' skills

1 Credits | Prerequisites: Sophomore Standing; ENTR 121 or ENTR 321

Cannot be taken Pass/No Pass

Addresses financial, human resource, operations and marketing issues that face entrepreneurs whose businesses are confronted with significant growth. In addition, will learn change management concepts that are targeted towards managing an organization in extremely turbulent times. Prepares students to work in fast-growth firms, whether they are interested in starting their own business or joining an already established fast-growth firm. Helpful for students interested in fast-growth industries such as life science and high technology.

3 Credits

The opportunities and challenges that are distinctive to businesses owned and operated by members of a family. Shared governance, leadership development, succession, and family-business tensions.

3 Credits

Introduction to franchising, how it relates to the entrepreneurial journal, and the differences compared to the traditional business model. Explores how to choose between buying an independent business and joining a franchise network and what makes a successful franchisee compared to another.

3 Credits | Prerequisites: MRKT 341, and ECON 215 or equivalent

Introduction to methods and principles of investigation and analysis used in making marketing decisions, from product development to channel decisions, to advertising decisions. Planning studies, proposing studies, conducting data gathering, analyzing and interpreting data, reporting results.

3 Credits

Challenges and opportunities for maximizing the power of a diverse workforce. Contemporary response to the issues of effective management of pluralistic perspectives and the impact of diversity on organizational climate and productivity. Introduction to diversity competence skill development techniques, strategies, and best practices for organizational effectiveness.

3 Credits | Prerequisites: 2.5 cum GPA; FINA 361/FINA 361H/FINA 361A with a grade of C or above; or ACTS 440/840

Analysis of the financing of new enterprises and the private equity industry. Identify the life cycle of a new firm including the fundamentals of financing startups, sources of funding, types of securities for startup contributors, capitalization tables, exit strategies, and valuation. Analysis of leveraged buyouts and performance measurement of private equity.

3 Credits | Prerequisites: Junior standing

Cannot be taken Pass/No Pass

Significant community engagement by conducting an entire philanthropic grant process across the semester. Fosters understanding of how strategic giving has social impact. Examine the structure of projects. Refine leadership through applied group work. Focus on philanthropic environment and awareness of corporate and non-profit contributions as they create social change within the community.

3 Credits | Prerequisites: Junior standing.

Cannot be taken Pass/No Pass.

Management in organizational settings requires skillful negotiation. This course will help develop a set of useful negotiation skills and strategies. Course uses a series of negotiation simulations and debriefings that help students learn to identify different types of conflict situations; learn to employ appropriate, purposeful negotiation techniques; and learn to evaluate negotiated outcomes.

3 Credits | Prerequisites: Acceptance into the Nebraska Entrepreneurship Accelerator

The process of launching or growing a venture. Emphasizes financial planning, business plan writing, marketing, and effective communication of an idea or venture. Includes goal setting, leadership growth, and use of peer and mentor feedback for continued progress.