Capstone Courses

Capstone courses provide you with experiences which can include developing business plans for new ventures, consulting with small businesses, or involvement in product innovation. They are offered through the Certificate in Entrepreneurship an Innovation Program, as well as departments across the university. Below are the capstone courses provided by the entrepreneurship program.

ENTR 48000 – ENTREPRENEURIAL LEADERSHIP AND CAREERS

3 credit hours
Fulfills a capstone course requirement.
[Prerequisites: ENTR 20000 & (ENTR 31000, or ENTR 31500, or ENTR 32500)]
Overview: In ENTR 48000 students explore how to use their entrepreneurial talents, skills, and interests in a variety of ways, including launching startups, joining family businesses, or being intrapreneurs in established organizations.

ENTR 48000 prepares students for entrepreneurial careers by requiring them to apply the knowledge and skills learned in prerequisite entrepreneurship courses to the development of their professional goals and networks. Students explore how they can use their entrepreneurial talents, skills, and interests in a variety of ways, including launching startups, joining family businesses, or being intrapreneurs in established organizations. The course serves as a capstone requirement for the Certificate in Entrepreneurship and Innovation. Typically offered Fall & Spring. Credits: 3.0

Students develop the knowledge and skills to:

  • Identify unique personal entrepreneurial strengths to help shape career decisions.
  • Understand the practical application of team building and leadership required.
  • Explore different types of entrepreneurial careers in startups and large organizations.
  • Research and interview entrepreneurs about career pathways.
  • Use secondary research to assess potential employers and their alignment with personal goals.
  • Explore options for using entrepreneurial skills within existing organizations.
  • Understand key elements of personal financial planning and management.
  • Build a personal brand and use social media platforms to expand professional networks.
  • Create a personal business plan.

Required Textbook – none

ENTR 48100 – CONSULTING FOR EMERGING ENTERPRISES

3 credit hours
Fulfills a capstone requirement.
[Prerequisites: ENTR 20000 & (ENTR 31000, or ENTR 31500, or ENTR 32500)]
Overview: In ENTR 48100 students learn how to become a consultant by applying the knowledge and skills learned in prerequisite entrepreneurship courses to a real-world project for a startup, small business, or non-profit organization.

ENTR 48100 is an experiential course that requires students to apply the knowledge and skills learned in prerequisite entrepreneurship courses to a real-world consulting project for a startup, small business, or non-profit organization. Student teams use a three-stage consulting model to guide project contracting, data gathering, and value creation for the client. In-class time focuses on developing consulting knowledge and competencies that are applied directly to client interactions and project execution. The course serves as a capstone requirement for the Certificate in Entrepreneurship and Innovation. Class size is limited. Permission of the instructor is required.

Students develop the knowledge and skills to:

  • Develop consulting skills through a hands-on consulting engagement.
  • Think strategically about a small business in a complex and changing environment.
  • Practice leadership and organization skills by establishing priorities, setting expectations, and completing objectives within a team.
  • Effectively use consulting tools and practices to analyze operations and establish priorities for improving effectiveness and growing the business.
  • Collaborate with clients by establishing positive relationships, building trust, sharing information, educating, learning, and solving problems.
  • Create value for a consulting client through tangible deliverables including new methods, processes, systems, products and services that will have a lasting impact on the long-term growth of the business.
  • Network with entrepreneurs and service providers from a variety of disciplines.

Required Textbooks

Title: Flawless Consulting: A Guide to Getting Your Expertise Used
Third edition
ISBN: 9780470620748

Title: The Trusted Advisor Fieldbook
First edition
ISBN: 9781118085646

ENTR 48200 – VENTURE PLANNING STUDIO

3 credit hours
Fulfills a capstone course requirement.
[Prerequisites: ENTR 20000 & (ENTR 31000, or ENTR 31500, or ENTR 32500)]
Overview: ENTR 48200 is an experiential course that that brings students through the process of creating a startup company as they would in a real-world business incubator or venture studio.

ENTR 48200 is an experiential course that brings students through the process of creating a startup company as they would in a real-world business incubator or venture studio. They apply knowledge and methodologies related to design thinking, lean startup, financial planning, and fundraising to develop robust business models. Students can bring their own ideas to the course or contribute to one that will be identified. The purpose of this course is to develop in students the confidence and competence to transform a venture idea into a viable startup company. The course serves as a capstone requirement for the Certificate in Entrepreneurship and Innovation.

Students will develop the knowledge and skills to:

  • Use design thinking to generate new ideas to solve stakeholder problems.
  • Employ Customer Forces and Jobs to Be Done models and methodologies to inform a Lean Canvas.
  • Create unique value propositions and concepts for new products, technologies, or services.
  • Conduct customer interviews to identify market opportunities and risks.
  • Define cost structure, pricing, and go-to-market strategy.
  • Develop pro-forma financial statements.
  • Build a minimal viable product (if appropriate).
  • Present a persuasive investor pitch deck.

Required Textbook – none

ENTR 39699

ENTR 39699 “I0” – INTERNS FOR INDIANA (IFI)

0 credit hour – (on-site) – competitive selection process
Fulfills a capstone course requirement.
Overview: ENTR 39699 The Interns for Indiana program connects Purdue University students to Indiana startups and technology companies.

ENTR 39699 is a capstone course for the Certificate in Entrepreneurship and Innovation. The Interns for Indiana program connects Purdue University students to Indiana startups and technology companies. The program promotes economic development, enhances student success and provides professional opportunities to high-performing students with the goal of keeping them in the state after graduation. Through a mutual selection process, companies are matched with students from a wide variety of academic disciplines who can assist in research, product development, process improvement, marketing, sales and other company needs. Student apply to the program through the Purdue Office of Professional Practice.

During the semester students will develop the knowledge and skills to:

  • Gain experience working within a startup and/or technology company; build on-the-job skills; and develop and nurture professional skills and relationships through the experience.
  • Analyze basic performance, interpersonal and ethical issues involved with being an intern and professional.
  • Articulate how your classroom-acquired knowledge applies to real-world situations.
  • Explore critical topics that will assist your transition into a professional environment.
  • Reflect on your professional development goals and needs.

Required Textbook – contact the Purdue Office of Professional Practice.