Instructor: J. Christopher Westland Time & Venue: Tuesdays, 6:30 PM - 9:00 PM @ Lincoln Hall Room 210 Text: Westland, Global Innovation Management, Palgrave 2017 (2nd ed.) Other readings uploaded to UIC Blackboard Office: UH 2400, Tuesdays 3pm to 5pm & by appointment – e-mail: westland@uic.edu Course Description & Objective This course provides the student with a survey and case studies of successful innovations that have led to new ventures, their components, strategies and financial structure. The course combines entrepreneurial, strategic, marketing, legal, societal and financial themes in support of innovative businesses and products. Students who intend to start up their own businesses and those planning on extending the product lines of established firms will benefit from the material in this class. The course addresses the design of effective strategies given particular technological capabilities and competitive markets; and provides tools for the financial analysis that are essential for obtaining venture capital. The competitive landscape in business has changed dramatically over the past decade. New technologies and marketing channels have pushed competition into realms that are both incredibly complex, and incredibly profitable – more than any time in the past. Rates of return on successful Internet start-ups average over 50%, compared to those of traditional business that average in the range of 15%. Improved profits come with elevated risk – business and technological – that confront investors and managers with new challenges. Even when Internet marketing is successful, it may be difficult to figure out exactly why.