The Eugene Lang Entrepreneurship Center at Columbia Business School is educating the next generation of business innovators and leaders committed to achieving social and economic progress. Classes, programs, showcases, competitions, networking opportunities, and workshops equip students with the tools and education required to start a business and grow a business.
“Launching New Ventures”, taught by entrepreneurs, founders, and venture capitalists is a hands-on, applied course. First-semester, second-year MBA students are expected to come to class with a specific business idea and develop a comprehensive business model by developing five core areas:
• In-depth market analysis
• Product or service design
• Marketing campaign development
• Human resource requirements
• Financial forecasting
“The Greenhouse Program” is a highly competitive course that selects second-semester, second-year MBA students who demonstrate viability for their business model. Students work in teams to compete for a limited amount of investment. More than just an academic exercise, each year, more than one third of the teams receive investment funding from the Greenhouse fund and go on to launch their businesses.
Lean Launchpad is based on the rigorous methodology pioneered by the popular, eight-time serial entrepreneur, author, and lecturer Steve Blank. The method guides disruptive innovation in startups and large, established companies by testing and iterating to expose the startup ideas to customers in a rapid timeframe.
Programming at the Lang Center includes:
Innovation and Entrepreneurship @Columbia (iE) – a multidisciplinary, program that stimulates ideas across Columbia.
The Annual Fall Venture Fair– provides students the opportunity to present ideas for feedback from successful entrepreneurs.
The Spring Venture Showcase – provides early-stage investing opportunities to qualifying student business initiatives.
Entrepreneurship-in-Residence Program – engages accomplished practitioners with students, faculty, and staff who are launching new businesses.
The Lion’s Lab – pairs first-year MBA students with second-year mentors for intensive workshops, pitch sessions, and access to industry insiders.