Is a course in entrepreneurship an oxymoron?

MaRS launched the CIBC Presents Entrepreneurship 101 lecture series for its fifth year last Wednesday. But every time we launch a new season I wonder: is entrepreneurship really teachable?

There are those who feel that it is really experiential – to borrow a phrase, just get out there and do it! There is some truth to that perspective – you never really understand what it is like to negotiate a term sheet with an investor until you have to sit down across the table and go eyeball to eyeball with them. Likewise there is no way to desribe the feeling of signing your first major customer.

However, I like to think that what we are doing is comparable to learning the rules of the road. It doesn’t substitute for hands on the wheel experience – nothing can – but at least you understand what those funny red octagonal signs mean!

Downloads and Resources

Weren’t able to attend the class? Need some notes or want to look something up? Click below for all of the goodies from the lecture. Watch the video and the slide presentation below.

Entrepreneurship 101 2009/10 – Week 1 – Course Introduction from MaRS Discovery District on Vimeo.
CIBC Presents Entrepreneurship 101 – Course Introduction 2009/10
View more presentations from Cathy Bogaart.