GCE-Forcht Center For Entrepreneurship · 2015. 6. 17. · Investment Competition, the University of Louisville Brown-Forman Cardinal Challenge showcases new business concepts presented

Forcht Center For Entrepreneurship at the University of Louisville College of Business

OVERVIEW: The Forcht Center for Entrepreneurship was established in 2008 with a generous alumni gift from Corbin, Kentucky-based entrepreneurs Marion and Terry Forcht. The Forcht Center for Entrepreneurship is a comprehensive suite of programs with components designed to develop and nurture entrepreneurial skills, experiences, and opportunities. These programs have consistently ranked among the top programs for entrepreneurship from U.S. News & World Report, The Princeton Review, Entrepreneur Magazine, EdUniversal, and the U.S. Association for Small Business and Entrepreneurship. ORGANIZATION: Located in the University of Louisville College of Business the program offers an undergraduate minor in Entrepreneurship, an Entrepreneurship MBA, and Entrepreneurship Ph.D. The personnel includes: Van Clouse, Associate Professor and Director, Forcht Center for Entrepreneurship; Sharon Kerrick, Assistant Professor and Assistant Director, Forcht

Center for Entrepreneurship; James Fiet, Ph.D., Professor and Ph.D. Director; Robert Garrett, Jr., Assistant Professor; Suzanne Bergmeister, Executive in Residence; Paula Sacher, Program Coordinator. STUDENT COMPETITION COMPONENT: Brown-Forman Cardinal Challenge Business Plan Competition The Brown-Forman Cardinal Challenge represents a prestigious, global academic competition with real-world opportunities and experiences designed to stimulate and reward innovative thinking and entrepreneurial persistence. As a regional qualifying event for the international “Super Bowl” of business plan events, Global Venture Labs Investment Competition, the University of Louisville Brown-Forman Cardinal Challenge showcases new business concepts presented by MBA and graduate students from 12 of the country’s leading university entrepreneurship programs, including UofL. The Cardinal Challenge competition offers teams the opportunity to win over $15,000, an invitation to the Global Venture Labs Investment Competition, and the lucrative “Launch in Louisville” Package worth over $100,000. Ballard Morton New Venture Competition The Ballard Morton New Venture Competition is an annual business plan competition featuring teams of UofL College of Business MBA students competing for startup capital for their innovative business concepts. In addition, winners have the opportunity to move on to regional and national competitions such as the Brown-Forman Cardinal Challenge and Global Venture Labs Investment Competition. EDUCATIONAL COMPONENT (THE CURRICULUM): Undergraduate Program in Entrepreneurship Minor in Entrepreneurship The Entrepreneurship Minor provides value-added skills that set students apart from other graduates. This minor focuses on critical thinking skills and building students’ innovation strengths. The minor is open to all College of Business students no matter their major. The minor develops the ability to search for, discover and exploit marketable ideas in a corporate environment or in an independent new venture. Courses specifically designed for the Entrepreneurship minor include MGMT 340/ ENTR 350 Entrepreneurship, ENTR 401 Entrepreneurship I, ENTR 402 Entrepreneurship II, ENTR 403 Entrepreneurship III. Graduate Programs in Entrepreneurship Entrepreneurship MBA This nationally ranked MBA gives students the skills and connections to launch new businesses and provide innovative leadership within an existing company. The entrepreneurial focus builds awareness of how to identify and act upon new opportunities in every business segment – critical skills every successful organization values.

Cohort format offers energizing, diverse team-building and problem-solving experience. Guest speakers bring contemporary culture into classrooms. Regional, national and international business plan competitions build presentation skills, confidence and leadership qualities. Corporate and start-up consulting projects deliver learning experiences in real-world environments. An International study trip (included) delivers global experience and expanded networking contacts Courses specifically designed for the Entrepreneurship MBA include: Economics of Strategy, Opportunity Discovery, New Venture Creation, Organizational Behavior, Team Dynamics I and II, Financial Strategy, Business Plan Development, Accounting, Managerial Accounting, Sales Management, Operations Management, Brand Building, Franchise Strategy, Managing for the Future, Corporate Entrepreneurship, and Social Entrepreneurship. Entrepreneurship Ph.D. The UofL College of Business is home of a unique doctoral program that is structured to provide a multidisciplinary understanding of the role of entrepreneurship in our society. The UofL entrepreneurship doctoral program is not the only program in the world, but there is no other program similar to it. OUTREACH: Cardinal Venture Club (CVC) The Cardinal Venture Club is a group of highly motivated and curious MBA’s from the University of Louisville. Our mission is to enhance the overall quality of the UofL MBA experience by enriching members with opportunities to work and be a part of the regional business community and its investors. CVC seeks to help facilitate the entrepreneurial spirit here in Louisville by connecting Venture Capitalists, Entrepreneurs, Government and the University of Louisville. Entrepreneurship Club (E-Club) The E-Club is open to all students within the University of Louisville and members of the community with an interest in entrepreneurship. We seek to provide opportunities for students to connect with each other and the entrepreneurial community within Louisville. The organization wants to be a resource for its members to be able to take their ideas to action and become successful. All of this builds upon the success of the Entrepreneurship Programs at the University and enhance the overall experience for its students. Club involvement includes special guest speakers, access to exclusive events, and valuable networking opportunities. Association for Corporate Growth The College of Business often supports students’ attendance at events hosted by ACG, which is the premier global association for professionals involved in corporate growth, corporate development, and mergers and acquisitions. Today ACG stands at over 12,000 members from corporations, private equity, finance, and professional service firms representing Fortune 500, Fortune1000, FTSE 100, and mid-market companies in 53

chapters in North America and Europe. Members recognize the multiple benefits of networking within an influential community of executives growing public and private companies worldwide. Louisville Venture Connectors The College of Business is a sponsoring member of the Louisville Venture Connectors. Founded in 1995, the Louisville Venture Connectors brings entrepreneurs and investors together in a professional yet relaxed forum. The monthly meetings offer both groups the opportunity to make valuable contacts, exchange information, and pursue mutual business opportunities. An important purpose of the Louisville Venture Connectors is to help facilitate and encourage the expansion of business and commercial investment activities in the region. Teams of entrepreneurs from the College’s MBA programs regularly present new business concepts at Louisville Venture Connectors meetings. Scholarships are available for Entrepreneurship MBA students to attend these monthly meetings. Small Business Institute Small Business Institute program supports regional economic development interests by pairing working professional MBA students with small-business owners to help address the challenges of growth and competition. The SBI is a service for our corporate partners, a community service linking area small businesses to resources and management expertise of the University of Louisville College of Business. The SBI provides confidential and professional management assistance at no cost to the small businesses. Through the SBI program, students, in small teams, and their faculty resource professor, provide expertise and experience to small businesses seeking help in areas such as marketing, operations, inventory control, and expansion studies. FOR MORE INFORMATION: The Forcht Center for Entrepreneurship The University of Louisville College of Business Louisville, KY 40292 Business.louisville.edu/eship [email protected] (502) 852-4161