The majority of new businesses don’t survive their first year. Launching Successful Ventures teaches students the nuts and bolts of creating new ventures while helping them avoid the common pitfalls that often lead to failure. Entrepreneurial exercises, case studies, step-by-step guidelines, and in-depth coverage of important financial topics such as managing cash flow, equity capital, and debt and investment capital are designed to help students build sustainable, lucrative ventures. Authored by successful serial entrepreneurs and award-winning researchers Michael Fountain and Tom Zimmerer, this new text provides a concise, practical guide for students seeking to develop high-growth ventures.

PrefaceAcknowledgmentsAbout the AuthorsChapter 1. The Entrepreneurial Venture Chapter Learning Objectives The Entrepreneur Types of Entrepreneurial Ventures Where Are Today's Entrepreneurs Coming From? Your Challenge Global Entrepreneurship and the Acceleration of Competition Customer-Focused Business Models Developing an Entrepreneurial Culture The Need for Continuous Change Social Entrepreneurship in Our Economy Conclusion Entrepreneurial ExercisesChapter 2. Creativity and Market Viability Chapter Learning Objectives In Search of the Valuable Idea The Power of Human Creativity Screening and Evaluating Ideas Market Evaluation Steps Creating a Potential Adopter Profile Building an Opportunity Evaluation Model The Seven-Part Assessment Model Assessing the Actual Market Potential: The Ugly Realities Conclusion Entrepreneurial ExercisesChapter 3. Industry and Competitive Analysis Chapter Learning Objectives Assessing the Industry The Macroenvironmental Analysis Process Components of the Macroenvironment Stages of Industry Development Analyzing Industry Behavior Competitive Analyses and Competitive Profile Matrices Creating Your Business Model Entrepreneurial ExercisesChapter 4. New Venture Marketing Chapter Learning Objectives Customers and the Market "Market Disruptors" Switching Cost: A Barrier to Adoption Market Research and Market Segmentation Effective Marketing Strategies Components of a Marketing Strategy Product Strategies Place Strategies Pricing Strategies Promotion Strategies Conclusion Entrepreneurial ExercisesChapter 5. The Financial Plan Chapter Learning Objectives By the Numbers Financial Analysis Basic Financial Statements Breakeven Analysis and the Pro Forma Financial Statement Financial Ratio Analysis Conclusion Entrepreneurial ExercisesChapter 6. Cash Flow Management Chapter Learning Objectives Cash and Profits Are Not the Same Cash Flow Process Cash Flow Management: Inventories Cash Flow Management: Accounts Payable Avoiding the Cash Crunch Conclusion Entrepreneurial ExercisesChapter 7. The Founder and the New Venture Team Chapter Learning Objectives Founder's Responsibility The Founder as Leader Leadership in Action Team Member Success = Organizational Success Team Member Selection Creating an Ethical Environment Conclusion Entrepreneurial ExercisesChapter 8. Forms of Ownership Chapter Learning Objectives Protecting Intellectual Property Protecting Intellectual Property Rights Selecting an Appropriate Form of Ownership Business Licenses and Permits Contracts Selecting an Attorney Conclusion Entrepreneurial ExercisesChapter 9. The Business Plan Chapter Learning Objectives The Value of Writing a Business Plan Road Map to Success Challenges of the Business Plan Structure of the Business Plan Presenting the Business Plan Entrepreneurial ExercisesChapter 10. Equity Capital Chapter Learning Objectives Equity Capital Sources of Equity Financing Types of Equity Instruments Raising Equity Capital Entrepreneurial ExercisesChapter 11. Debt and Alternative Forms of Investment Capital Chapter Learning Objectives Fundamentals of Non-Equity Financing Government Sources of Capital Entrepreneurial ExercisesChapter 12. Structuring the Deal Chapter Learning Objectives Managing Investor Expectations Valuing the Start-Up Company Example of a Draft Private Placement Memorandum Entrepreneurial ExercisesChapter 13. Harvesting the Venture Chapter Learning Objectives Preparing For Your Exit Selling the Venture Mergers Public Liquidity Event Bankruptcy Entrepreneurial ExercisesCases Case 1: Never Underestimate the Power of Marketing Case 2: A Little Bit of Science Never Hurts Case 3: When Adversity Strikes Case 4: Knowing When to Regroup Case 5: When to Trust Your Gut Case 6: Listen to Customers and Advance Incrementally Case 7: Mitigate Risk Case 8: Venture Capitalist Turned Entrepreneur Case 9: Living an Entrepreneur's Life Case 10: To Sell or Not to SellReferencesIndex