Faced with teaching a 13-week course on Venture Capital and Finance of Innovation to business students, Associate Professor Nauman Farooqi of Mount Allison University ditched the lecture hall and turned to experiential learning.
The experiential learning environment differs from a traditional classroom environment by placing students in situations that cause them to face the challenges and processes of practical life. Goal-orientation, teamwork, decision-making, observation, thinking and action-taking are the major areas developed.
Students worked with entrepreneurs to develop a package to submit to venture capitalists.
The package consisted of a business plan with detailed market analysis, financial projections, identification of possible venture capitalists to approach, and a formal presentation package and related material for making the pitch.
Kudos to Professor Farooqi on moving beyond the theoretical, providing learners with hands on experience, and giving local entrepreneurs the tools they need to advance their business ideas. (RN)
Students decide who gets venture capital funding | The Globe and Mail | Nauman Farooqi | 4 June 2010