Business Commons^™

Matt Geiger (Com ’12) – Hoop Book Live

Dr. Harold Welsch

Hoop Book is a software firm that simplifies the scorekeeping process for school and recreational basketball teams, and won the 2010 Launch DePaul competition (for-profit track). Matt is currently running his venture part-time, with a business partner, while he completes his degree in Finance. In addition to receiving continued coaching through the Blueprint program, Matt is engaged with the Coleman Center as a speaker in entrepreneurship courses.

Mgt 355 Negotiations

Dr. Harold Welsch

This course relies upon experiential learning to enhance students ability to get what they want through the negotiation process. It is a skill building course designed to help each student become more persuasive, both personally and professionally. The course makes use of lecture, class discussion, various street negotiation assignments, and a major bargaining exercise. It enables students to compete effectively in future negotiations.

Mgt 398 New Venture Lab

Dr. Harold Welsch

This practicum course is for students who have already developed a business plan for a new commercial or social venture and intend, or have begun, to implement the plan. The course helps students accelerate their progress and manage risk by focusing on important milestones in the new venture development process: acquiring funding and other resources; identifying and selling to prospective customers; managing limited financial resources; building a team and network, including advisors and service providers; presenting the business opportunity to key stakeholders; and assembling infrastructure such as office and technology needs. Course requirements include a detailed action plan, milestone achievement …

Masters Of Business Administration (Mba) In Entrepreneurship

Dr. Harold Welsch

DePaul’s Entrepreneurship program is an internationally recognized, award-winning program. The program is designed for individuals who are preparing to start their own businesses, or who are managing innovative processes in established firms.

The Entrepreneurship concentration will provide you with the skills and abilities needed to:

· Think creatively and generate new business ideas

· Develop your business idea through market analysis

· Write a business plan

· Assess your entrepreneurial leadership skills

· Implement successful growth strategies

· Build an entrepreneurial spirit within established firms

· Consult for area businesses

· Interact directly with entrepreneurs and innovators

Mgt 370 Business Plan Development

Dr. Harold Welsch

A business plan is an important strategic tool required to help establish the direction of an enterprise and attract capital required to run the business. It incorporates and integrates the functional areas of business and puts into practice many of the concepts and theories acquired in other classes. It describes the overall business venture, the product or service, the customers, the competition, the marketing, the legal structure, the operations, the human resources plan, the break-even analysis, the financing and all those things that are required to run a business. It helps to identify many unanticipated factors and reality-tests critical assumptions, …

Mgt 521 Management Of Fast Growing Firms

Dr. Harold Welsch

Alternative growth strategies for companies in the second stage of their life cycle are examined. After initial start-up, a unique set of problems and constraints confront the firm limiting its growth. Expansion of product line and services, new market development, redefinition of organizations, financial resource allocation, second stage financing using a case study approach, and going public are some issues that are covered. Proposed revisions are critically evaluated. Offered once a year.

Mgt 393 Internship And Management Consulting Program

Dr. Harold Welsch

Students encounter real work experience improving linkages between classroom efforts and the business world.

Mgt 373 Creativity & Entrepreneurship

Dr. Harold Welsch

This course will provide an overview of the opportunity recognition and evaluation process by examining how people, the industry, and the social environment interact to identify, create and shape entrepreneurial opportunities. The focus of this course is on creativity and innovation within an entrepreneurial context. Students learn creative tools and applications to assist in designing new business ideas and ventures.

Mgt 570 Entrepreneurship And New Venture Management

Dr. Harold Welsch

The focus of the course is on new venture initiation and the preparation of a business plan that can be used to generate financing and to begin operations in a new business enterprise. It examines the critical factors involved in the conception, initiation and development of new business ventures. Topics covered include the identification of characteristics of prospective entrepreneurs, identifying innovations, market potential analysis for new products or services, acquiring seed capital, obtaining venture capital for growth or purchase of an existing business and organization and operation of the new business. Each student is required to develop a business plan …

Masters Of Science In Entrepreneurship (Mse)

Dr. Harold Welsch

The Master of Science in Entrepreneurship (MSE) builds upon a reputation for excellence with a new specialized program of study that will propel students to reach their enterprising dreams faster. Entrepreneur Magazine and The Princeton Review have rated the DePaul university graduate entrepreneurship program among the best in the nation with rankings in the top ten for over ten years. Engage your passions and become a part of the vibrant DePaul entrepreneurial community. For students interested in turning good opportunities into thriving businesses, the DePaul MSE will equip graduates to start and grow new ventures on their own, or within …

Mgt 572 Corporate Ventures And Management

Dr. Harold Welsch

The focus of this course is on how corporations develop new ventures. It critically examines the circumstances that make it possible for employees to contribute their venture ideas to the corporate objectives and describes techniques that stimulate such ideas. Although the primary focus will be on the employee and how the individual can be entrepreneurial within a corporate structure, the course also examines how the corporation can systematically encourage innovation. Case studies of corporate ventures projects will be reviewed.

Mgt 571 Financing New Ventures

Dr. Harold Welsch

This course will focus on identifying, examining and evaluating various sources of original and growth capital. Emphasis will be on legal, financial and tax issues related to capital formation as well as specific problems experienced by the small-to-medium-sized firms undergoing rapid growth. Topics discussed will include financing startups, financial planning and strategy, going public, selling out and bankruptcy. A formal proposal for capital acquisition developed through field research will be required of each student.

Mgt 360 Leadership

Dr. Harold Welsch

Leadership is a social influence process, the success of which is dependent upon certain skills (e.g. communication, conflict resolution) and situational factors (e.g. task characteristics, organizational structure). This course applies traditional and contemporary leadership theory to the development of individual leadership skills. Classroom experiences focus on understanding and practicing skills associated with effective leadership.

Mgt 590 Management Of Innovation And Technological Change

Dr. Harold Welsch

The ability to manage technological innovation has become an increasingly essential requirement for business people regardless of functional specialty. The objective of this course is to explore ways to create environments that are conducive to technological innovation. Throughout the course students examine practices, models, and approaches that established, as well as new, organizations employ to promote innovative practice, technological change, and new technologies. The following topics will be covered: the innovation process, managing technical people, the impact of organizational design on innovation, knowledge management, cross function teams and exploiting new technologies. Students will research new technologies and discuss potential business …

Mgt 595 Social Entrepreneurship

Dr. Harold Welsch

This course explores principles and applications of social value generation in entrepreneurial contexts. Participants will learn how agile, growing ventures can be managed to generate value that transcends commercial and social frontiers. The course material emphasizes concepts from traditional entrepreneurship in the context of the broader social sector environment. Diverse contributions from graduate students in the College of Commerce as well as the School of Public Service ensure deep exploration of the social venture realm. The course experience is enriched by team-based consulting to several actual Chicago social ventures as a practical complement to classroom activities.

Mgt 798 New Venture Lab

Dr. Harold Welsch

This practicum course is for students who have already developed a business plan for a new commercial or social venture and intend, or have begun, to implement the plan. The course helps students accelerate their progress and manage risk by focusing on important milestones in the new venture development process: acquiring funding and other resources; identifying and selling to prospective customers; managing limited financial resources; building a team and network, including advisors and service providers; presenting the business opportunity to key stakeholders; and assembling infrastructure such as office and technology needs. Course requirements include a detailed action plan, milestone achievement …

Mgt 573 Creativity In Business

Dr. Harold Welsch

This course explores the nature and role of creativity in organizations. Theories and modes of creative thinking, and the link between creativity and innovation are presented. The course format is largely experiential, with emphasis on group and individual exercises, techniques, simulations and cases, through which students will investigate the creative process in a variety of organizational settings. The role of managers and team members in nurturing and sustaining a creative enterprise is discussed. The course is designed to open students to the creativity within themselves and organizations, and to the tools with which creativity can be managed to promote innovation …

The Seven Habits Of Highly Effective Start Ups

Dr. Harold Welsch

No abstract provided.

Business Start Up Check List

Dr. Harold Welsch

No abstract provided.

Brian Fritton (Com ’10) – Tech@Cost, Inc.

Dr. Harold Welsch

Another student who enrolled at DePaul primarily because of the Coleman Center, Brian currently operates Tech@Cost on a full-time basis with a business partner. The company sells business technology equipment and software at distributor-direct, wholesale cost by leveraging formal negotiated relationships with the nation’s largest distributors. Brian received extensive coaching from the Coleman Center during his four years at DePaul, involving three different ventures. In late 2008, he was introduced by the Center to a well-known local angel investor, who ultimately invested $150,000 in mid-2010. Brian continues to be advised by two members of the Coleman Center advisory board, and …

Kris Swanberg (M.S. Ed. ’10) – Nice Cream Chicago

Dr. Harold Welsch

Nice Cream produces and sells hand-crafted, organic ice cream in over 20 retail locations throughout Chicago. Having learned about the Coleman Center only six months before graduating, Kris took an elective entrepreneurship course, second place in the 2010 Launch DePaul competition, and some last-minute coaching. Along the way, she made two important connections for her company – one was with a potential investor who inquired about the possibility of taking Nice Cream national, and the other was with the local food buyer for Whole Foods, which led to Nice Cream’s placement in three area stores. Today, Kris employs one other …

Reid Lappin (Com ’10) – Vokal Interactive, Llc

Dr. Harold Welsch

After attempting a couple different business ideas while at DePaul, Reid discovered a business opportunity with VOKAL, which builds custom mobile applications for businesses. One year after graduating, he employs 10 full-time people and will break $1 million in revenue. Reid made several important connections at Coleman Center networking events, and in early 2010 was featured in a CNBC documentary about the dramatic growth of the mobile application industry. Reid is a member of the eMerge Alumni Council.

Chris Campbell (Cmn ’09) – Lakeshore Branding

Dr. Harold Welsch

An entrepreneur since high school, when he started a lawn care company that he sold his freshman year at DePaul, Chris is owner of Lakeshore Branding, an Internet marketing and web design agency specializing in search engine optimization, social media, reputation management and web design. Lakeshore has three full-time and three part-time employees. During his time working with the Coleman Center over four years, Chris received extensive coaching and mentoring, and built numerous business relationships, including customers, advisors, and vendors. Since graduating, Chris has remained highly engaged with the Coleman Center as a competition judge, speaker, and member of the …

Jennifer Moran (Com ’09) – Greenola

Dr. Harold Welsch

Soon after winning the non-profit/social venture track of the 2009 Launch DePaul competition, Jennifer started GREENOLA, which sells women's fair trade and sustainable clothing and accessories online. Today, Jennifer operates the social venture on a full-time basis, and employs three part-time employees and four interns. She was a member of the Blueprint program from 2007-2009, and remains highly engaged with the Coleman Center as a speaker, judge, and vice chair of the eMerge Alumni Council.

Elbert Clayton (Com ’08) – First Stage Leverage, Inc.

Dr. Harold Welsch

Elbert has started, purchased, and run numerous ventures, most recently BarVision, a software company that helps bars and restaurants manage and prevent losses from liquor pouring by bartenders. Besides BarVision, Elbert is currently operating three additional ventures, employing a total of 11 people full-time. From 2005 to 2008, Elbert received coaching and counseling from the Coleman Center, some of which led to a semi-final placing in a national business plan competition. He has raised $40,000 in capital and recently sold one of his businesses for over $300,000, which he reinvested in a new venture.

Ryan D’Arcy (Com ’08) – Chicago’S Dog House

Dr. Harold Welsch

Along with a business partner, Ryan launched Chicago’s Dog House in 2009, a quick-service restaurant that specializes in gourmet sausages and hot dog creations. Chicago’s Dog House employs two full-time and five part-time people, was featured on the Food Network’s premiere of the show, Outrageous Foods, in November 2010, and was cash-flow positive within three months of launching. Ryan received extensive coaching from Coleman Center staff for other ventures he researched while at DePaul, and continues to receive informal advising.

Rania El-Sorrogy (Com ’07) – Modbind

Dr. Harold Welsch

ModBind is a book-binding technology Rania invented for which she received a patent and is currently trying to license to publishers. She enrolled at DePaul primarily because of the Coleman Center, where she received coaching and counseling from her first weeks as a freshman in 2004. She was champion of the 2007 Launch DePaul competition, has served on the Center’s Advisory Council since 2008, and is a charter member of the eMerge Alumni Council. Rania has received, and made, dozens of introductions through the Coleman Center, leading to vendor, customer, mentor, and other relationships. She remains highly engaged with the …

Harold P. Welsch Received The Honorary Doctorate Degree From The Estonia American University In Tallin, Estonia, Harold Welsch

Dr. Harold Welsch

Harold P. Welsch, the Coleman Foundation Chair in Entrepreneurship, received an honorary doctorate degree from the Estonian American University in Tallin, Estonia for his work in helping privatize the economy. He assisted to create the Estonia Small Business Association, researched problems of Estonian entrepreneurs and developed an entrepreneurship curriculum at the school. Harold gave the commencement key note address on June 21, 2007 in the guild hall auditorium, established in 1947 A.D. In addition, Fr. Dennis Holtschneider signed a cooperative agreement between the two institutions, advocating fruitful interchange and collaborating on mutually beneficial projects.

Entrepreneurship Students Hands On Learning, Harold Welsch Dr.

Dr. Harold Welsch

No abstract provided.

Depaul Is Ranked Among The Best 13 In Entrepreneur Magazine's Annual Evaluation Of "Top 100 Entrepreneurial Colleges"

Dr. Harold Welsch

No abstract provided.