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Welcome to MS&E 273 Fall 2013

Are you wondering what it takes to build the next Amazon.com, Genentech, or Apple Inc.? In this course, graduate students interested in technology driven start-ups have the opportunity to learn and practice the fundamental skills required to assess a technology concept or product in the framework of a business opportunity. The course focuses on technology products and services with a critical innovative advantage that will provide sustainable differentiation. We will explore the opportunity to build a business around a realistic technology development. Learn about the experience of an early-stage entrepreneur seeking initial investment, including: Team Building, Opportunity Assessment, Customer Development, Product Development Planning, Financial Modeling, Go-to-Market Strategy, and Intellectual Property. The teaching team, mentors and lecturers include serial entrepreneurs, venture capitalists and domain experts in IP and key technology segments. The final pitch is delivered to a panel of partners at top VC firms.
The class limited to graduate students only. The class must be taken for credit.

MS&E 273 teaches the process of entrepreneurship. Some alumni use knowledge gained in this course to launch high-tech ventures or join startups. Others have gone on to work in venture capital, consulting, and more established technology companies.

Companies recently launched by MS&E 273 alumni

Big Switch Networks

Big Switch Networks is delivering on the promise of Open Software- Defined Networking (SDN) providing customers the widest range of options and the most value out of their network. They deliver a highly scalable Open SDNTM platform, Network Virtualization, and applications for customers whose business is impacted by limitations of both their virtual and physical infrastructure. Co-founder Kyle Forster is an MS&E 273 Alum.
Motiv Power Systems

Motiv is an engineering design firm with expertise in medium level (1kW-1MW) power systems and control. Their mission is to become a leader in power system design. We develop IP critical to the cleantech industry and license it to clients in the EV, renewable generation, and energy storage industries. CEO and Co-founder Jim Castelaz is an MS&E 273 Alum.
Finesse Solutions

Finesse was founded to bring digital, plug-and-play solutions to life science customers, so as to improve the management of complex bio-process applications. The initial focus is on improving sensor, hardware, and software solutions for process control in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries. To date, their products include next generation single-use optical sensors, digitally-enabled hardware for plug-and-play process control, and easy-to-use software whose analytics scale from research into production. CEO Barbara Paldus is an MS&E 273 Alum.
Skybox Imaging

Skybox Imaging is revolutionizing the use of satellite imagery and derived information products by developing the world’s highest performance constellation of imaging microsatellites to deliver high resolution imagery of any spot on earth multiple times per day. Co-founders Dan Berkenstock and Julian Mann are MS&E 273 Alumni.
Solum

Solum, Inc. is revolutionizing precision agriculture, enabling growers to increase yield and reduce cost by applying crop nutrients in the right amount, at the right place, and at the right time through high accuracy soil measurements based upon the field moist method. Their proprietary hardware and software systems provide high-resolution soil nutrient information without adding cost to existing soil measurement practices. Co-founders Mike Preiner, Nick Koshnik and Justin White are MS&E 273 Alumni.
WiFiSLAM

WiFiSLAM is at the forefront of enabling the next generation of location-based applications with microlocation ability. Their solution is accurate, efficient, and simple to use. The founding team is a mix of Stanford graduate students and ex-Googlers. Co-founders Joseph Huang and Joey Swicker are MS&E 273 Alumni. In March 2013 Apple acquired WiFiSLAM for $20M.

MS&E 273 Alumni Quotes

"A ton of work, and a great class!"

"I will recommend this class to someone who wants to be an entrepreneur. This is a great class, exciting, but also, it is a lot of work, and if you don't love [entrepreneurship], you won't like it."

"I absolutely would recommend this class to other students interested in starting a business. I think the class did a great job of focusing on the key aspects of starting a business without belabouring any point. It was fast-paced and challenging, which I like, and intense. It really opened my eyes to a whole world I was ignorant of before."

"I would not recommend this to anyone who is not serious about it or does not have the time commitment. That fosters really bad team relations and is unfair to other teammates. I was glad to see that you made that very explicit in the beginning, so there were no surprises."

"This was the best class I have taken at Stanford. [...] I learned a lot in the lectures, which is irregular for a non-homework type class, and learned even more working with my team. I spent probably double the time I have ever spent in any other course."

"This class alone made coming to Stanford worth it!"

"MS&E273 is hands down the best way to learn what life in a startup is like… This was the most useful class I took throughout my two years at Stanford…I'm putting learning into action by pursuing my own startup."

"The experience of 273 has helped immensely in our ability to write and present a focused and relevant plan for the company."

"Beyond the tangible advice or skills learned, my biggest takeaway from the class was the impetus to stop talking about an idea and actually take steps to execute it."

"The class provided a very realistic experience for entrepreneurial students to build a business plan from scratch and pitch to top-tier VCs."  

"The class provides a balanced mix of lectures, speakers, and hands-on work. It’s a great launchpad for aspiring student entrepreneurs and equally valuable for those who have entrepreneurial plans later in their lives."