Curriculum
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Descriptions
MEM 490: Entrepreneurship & Venture Capital


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Description

This is a one (1) unit course. 

The Entrepreneurship & Venture Capital course integrates early-stage startup creation with the practice of venture capital investing. Students will experience the dual perspectives of entrepreneur and investor by applying frameworks, developing theses, performing diligence, and making real-world decisions. Students will work with real startups and a venture capital firm, apply lean startup methodology, form business models, conduct customer discovery, and build investment cases. Final deliverables include a startup pitch and an investment memo. The course provides high-level exposure to market validation, term sheet structuring, team formation, and fundraising. 

In this course, students will learn how to: 

  • Develop the mindset of both an entrepreneur and early-stage investor 
  • Apply lean startup tools to identify problems, markets, and technologies 
  • Evaluate real companies for investment using diligence frameworks 
  • Build, iterate, and pitch a compelling business model 
  • Construct and defend an investment thesis and memo 

Apply

The application to request Winter 2026 MEM courses is now open. The priority deadline is December 10, 2025 and the program will process requests and notify students starting the afternoon of December 11, 2025. If a request is approved, a permission number will be sent. After December 11, 2025, requests will be reviewed and processed on a rolling basis. The application will close December 19, 2025. EMAIL NOTIFICATIONS WILL NOT BE SENT PRIOR TO DECEMBER 11, 2025. Questions can be directed to mem@northwestern.edu.

To apply, please click on the APPLY HERE button.

APPLY HERE

Sample Syllabus