Santa Clara University

Entrepreneurship Certificate

One of the fastest growing segments of the economy is the small business sector. Chances are at some point in your career you will want to step out and either work for an emerging company or start a business of your own. Why not hone your entrepreneurial skills during your undergraduate career at Santa Clara? The Leavey School of Business offers a chance to earn a Certificate in Entrepreneurship here, in Silicon Valley, where access to the most talented entrepreneurs is within a ten-mile drive.

You will:

• discover the challenges you face when launching a new business
• acquire tools and learn skills to help navigate these challenges
• learn how to assess market opportunities and to create a business around a large and growing market (ie - health care, online learning and gaming)
• find out where and how to locate your business and recruit a team
• learn how to build a brand and develop a marketing strategy and campaign
• practice the "art of the pitch" and the "art of the sale"
• learn how to work on a team and develop a business plan study business development and strategic partnering
• learn about the financing options for a new business
• discover how venture capital works build your rolodex as you network with Silicon Valley Business leaders, entrepreneurs and venture capitalists

This four-course certificate program was co-developed by Dr. Mary Furlong and Dr. Robert Hendershott. It consists of Business 143 (Entrepreneurship I), Business 144 (Entrepreneurship II), Business 145 (Entrepreneurship Practicum), and an approved elective.

For more information: Mary Furlong furlong@aol.com  415-902-8671 or Bob Hendershott rhendershott@scu.edu  408-554-4698

Dr. Mary Furlong is an executive professor of Entrepreneurship and Women in Leadership at the Leavey School of Business. She is a leading authority on technology and aging. She founded SeniorNet.org in l985, ThirdAge.com in l996 and MaryFurlong.com in 2002. She has raised over $100 million dollars in venture financing and corporate sponsorship to support initiatives in aging. She produces the What's Next Conference and Baby Boomer Business Plan Competition each year. She was named one of the Top 25 Entrepreneurs by Fortune Small Business Magazine and one of Time Magazine's Digital Top 50.

Dr. Robert Hendershott is a member of the Finance Department at the Leavey School of Business and holds the Henninger Family Fellowship in Entrepreneurship. His research and teaching are focused on Private Equity, Venture Capital, and Entrepreneurial Finance. Bob was a founding partner at BH Equity Research and continues to consult with institutional clients on public and private equity investment strategies.