Entrepreneurship in a Graduate Engineering Program*

Abstract

Abstract The paper will describe three courses that emphasize the entrepreneurship of new, joint projects between engineering and business students. The courses were co‐taught among engineering, business and applied psychology. The graduate student teams developed a marketing plan, conceived a design, built a prototype, and wrote a business plan. The teams were formed into companies with roles and responsibilities, had a budget, and were given the ability to fire “free‐loaders.” The teams were expected to develop innovative, high risk, high reward products. The students learned to take risks, accept failure, be creative, and work in a self‐directed team. A stress‐free classroom environment fostered creativity.