Entrepreneurs possess the vision to see things differently and uncover new ideas, the courage to take risks and defend those ideas, and the drive to see them through.
The spirt of innovation is for everyone. Powered by the Lundquist Center for Entrepreneurship, the innovation and entrepreneurship specialization of the Oregon MBA advances the enterprising spirit at the heart of business success. Open to both MBA and non-MBA graduate students, this specialization equips students with the skills and knowledge to navigate the exiting world of business creation. By combining a solid foundation of business theory with extraordinary hands-on learning, the specialization educates, inspires, and empowers future business leaders.
What You'll Learn
- Build a solid foundation of business knowledge—from types of companies to growth strategies, marketing tactics, and more—to expand your skill set and tackle obstacles along the way.
- Evaluate different ideas, identify gaps in various industries, and recognize new opportunities for businesses and growth.
- Write compelling business plans to build upon your own ideas or to expand your collaboration skills. Team up with members in your cohort to help get their businesses up and running.
- Dive into case studies of successful entrepreneurs, explore the life cycle stages of a business, and discover how startups can effectively scale.
- Learn about different types of funding that can get a new business up and running, including the venture capital process and the loans and grants available to small businesses.
Where You'll Go
- The Pacific Northwest is home to some of the most successful and innovative startups. Hear their stories during study tours in Seattle, San Francisco, and Portland.
- Grab your passport and embark on study tours to destinations like London and Paris to get a glimpse of international business.
- Test your own entrepreneurial beginnings in pitch competitions and accelerators that offer prize money for winning ideas, such as the Hult Prize Accelerator and Oregon Innovation Challenge.
Who You'll Meet
Countless startup organizations and entrepreneurs found their start at the University of Oregon and the Lundquist Center for Entrepreneurship. Thanks to the center's network and programming, you'll have opportunities to connect directly with individuals who were in the same shoes not too long ago and partner with organizations with the means to support new ideas, including:
- Oregon Venture Fund
- Onward Eugene
- RAIN Catalysts
- Eugene Chamber of Commerce
- Angel investors and venture capitalists
- Exit entrepreneurs who built and sold their businesses
- UO alumni who own and built their own businesses
What You'll Do
Whether you come to the program with an idea already in mind or the desire to feed your entrepreneurial side, the innovation and entrepreneurship track will teach you the building blocks needed to take the next step. Past students have met their business partners and accelerated the growth of an existing business with the lessons learned and opportunities made available by the program. Others have gone on to land influential positions rooted in innovation and growth strategy for organizations across the country, in such roles as:
- Strategy innovation management
- Brand and marketing management
- Consultancy and project management
