Entrepreneurship MBA

     The Entrepreneurship MBA is a two-year program that has earned the #10 ranking in the nation among the "Top 25 Entrepreneurial Colleges for Graduate Students." It teaches entrepreneurial skills to those who want to succeed in today's nimble corporations or launch their own businesses. Entrepreneurship is as important today to large corporations as it is to start-ups, which is why 85% of these graduates go on to work in existing companies.

The Program

     The two-year, lock-step program promotes life-long learning and is designed for individuals with diverse backgrounds. Students complete the program as a cohort and participate extensively in teams in the analysis and execution of projects. The cohort and cross-disciplinary nature of the students, faculty, and curriculum provides a unique opportunity for learning in a synergetic environment. This integrated approach is highly conducive to learning and requires the same traits necessary for success in any organization or business venture: individual accountability and responsibility.

View the Entrepreneurship MBA curriculum and course descriptions.

Learning Experience

     The business environment of the 21st century requires the integration of sound business and management practices, entrepreneurial thinking, technological innovation, effective strategies and versatile human resources. The Entrepreneurship MBA program is structured around a framework that parallels the contemporary business environment. The integrative model incorporates team teaching, group problem solving, and corporate partnerships that expose students to the practical and applied world of business.

     Team teaching in this program involves professors from different disciplines, such as accounting, marketing, and operations, teaching a course together so that you can learn how the various functions interact.

Outcomes

     Desired Entrepreneurship MBA student outcomes include:

1. The ability to foster creativity and confidence in self and others
2. The ability to recognize and capitalize on opportunity in the global marketplace
3. The ability to identify, secure and allocate resources
4. The ability to think critically by integrating knowledge of business, technology and the environment
5. The ability to communicate effectively
6. The ability to lead, follow, and work well with others

     In addition to a thorough understanding of entrepreneurial thinking, emphasis is placed on leadership, strategic thinking, communication skills, and an immersion in global business.

New Venture Creation & Competitions

     During year one of the program, Entrepreneurship MBA teams will choose a product or service to develop, do an industry and competitive analysis, then build a business plan for their new venture.  In year two, students have the opportunity to compete in business plan competitions across the US.  UofL hosts the internal Ballard Morton New Venture Competition in the fall for our teams to earn prize money, then hosts the Cardinal Challenge Competition in February, which allows schools from across the country to compete in Louisville.

     For those who do not pursue the competition route in the second year, real-world consulting projects are incorporated as part of the curriculum to obtain hands-on experience.

2008 Entrepreneurship MBA Team Success

1. In total, Entrepreneurship MBA teams collected more than $100,000 in awards, prizes, and honors.
2. The Partum Group, a medical technology company, won the Outstanding Product Award in its Moot Corp division, which included the team that won the overall competition, and won the NASDAQ Stock Market Challenge.  
3. At Kentucky's first-ever Idea State University Business Plan Competition, two Entrepreneurship MBA teams and program director Dr. Van Clouse received nearly $50,000 of the $78,000 in awards for graduate programs.
4. Health Network Solutions was a finalist at the San Diego State University Venture Challenge and a semi-finalist at Spirit of Enterprise Business Plan Competition at University of Cincinnati.
5. ShaBamm finished in third place at the Georgia Bowl Business Plan Competition at Kennesaw State University and received award for Best Business Plan Presentation at UofL's Aleris New Venture Competition.
6. The Partum Group won the Vogt Development Award from GLI's Enterprise Corporation and the ICC Concept Award from the Kentucky Science & Technology Corporation. 

2007 Entrepreneurship MBA Team Success

1. RJS, LLC earned the runner-up award in the Murphree Venture Partners Challenge at the 2007 Moot Corp Global Business Plan Competition and finished 11th world-wide out of 35 teams.
2. Mulligan Media won Best Trade Show Exhibit award and finished in second place at UofL's Aleris New Venture Competition.

For more information about the UofL College of Business masters degrees, contact Jennifer Philpot at 502-852-7257 or attend an upcoming MBA Information Session.