Entrepreneurs thrive and survive on Networks. The role of Organizations like TiE, NEN, BEN, JEN, CIIE and various Angel Networks, Venture Capitalists as well as Academic Institutions like Stanford, Harvard, Duke, IIM, IIT have been very pivotal in shaping and accelerating the entrepreneurial ecosystem of their respective city, state and country. In this elective course, Atul Kumar, will examine, explain current entrepreneurship networks.

1. Global Entrepreneurship Networks
MBA Elective Course Proposal
Atul Kumar (PGP 2001 IIM Ahmedabad)
with IIM Alumni ( Nonita Verma IIMA 2000, Rajesh Ranjan IIMC 1998, Kamal IIMA FPM 2005)
Contact Information:
atul.kumar.2001@iimaalumni.us /
atultech@gmail.com
(m) +1 203 987 4452

2. Global Entrepreneurship Networks
Global Entrepreneurship Networks is a specialized elective designed for students preparing to launch (or
join) a venture or simply build a career in international management. It will help students explore the
unique characteristics, risks and rewards of a global initiative.
Teaching Approach: Global Entrepreneurship won’t be a traditional, Lecture-based course, but instead
use a variety of teaching methods:
Business case analyses featuring startups as well as multinational applications
Guest lecturers and “meet-ups” with practitioners and entrepreneurs
“Virtual team” simulation Organized with a partner MBA program abroad
Group project, with verbal and written deliverables
Opportunity to pitch/propose real projects/venture, some of which will get funded and mentored as well

3. Background
Traditionally, new business ventures would stick to domestic soil before considering international
expansion. But unlike the past, many of today’s new ventures are born global. From day one, raw materials
may not be purchased from nearby suppliers, but instead from another continent. Manufacturing may not
necessarily be set up right next door. Customers may be global, while operations local – or vice versa.
In today’s economy, many startups take an immediate multinational perspective for several reasons. The
most common are scale limitations, cost efficiencies, and when “being global” is central to the core value
proposition. Consider the social impact orgs like Sulabh International, Pradan, TiE, NEN are making across
Asia and Africa
Whatever the rationale, new ventures with a broad geographical scope face unique challenges and require
a specific skillset to meet them

4. Selected Broad Topics
Global Entrepreneurship will help students develop the skills needed to manage any start-up venture in a
global setting Broad topics will cut across various business disciplines and include:
1. Introducing the present day global entrepreneurial ecosystem
2. Technology, Culture and global entrepreneurship
3. Planning your local launch – Identifying opportunities & Go TO Market strategies
4. Entering the global market
5. Managing and operating your global enterprise
6. Legal, Human Resource, Operational, Marketing, Finance
7. Financing issues – Access to capital and engaging with investors

5. Key Learning Outcomes
Global Entrepreneurship will be extremely practical. Key learning outcomes will
include, “How to”:
1. Analyze the risks and rewards of “using digital” to “Go global”
2. Create an effective global business strategy
3. Effectively implement a global plan
4. Manage a “virtual team” that spans across multiple geographies
5. Work through critical marketing issues such as distribution channel, pricing and
promotion
6. Avoid legal and finance hassles and other common mistakes

6. Reference Materials
The following texts are under consideration to serve as reference materials for Global Entrepreneurship
1. How to Change the World
2. Global Entrepreneurship: Case Studies of Entrepreneurial Firms Operating around the World –
December 12, 2014 By James Hayton, Carlo Salvato, and Mathew J. Manimala
3. The Global Entrepreneur 3rd Edition – August 1, 2013 By James F. Foley
4. International Entrepreneurship: Starting, Developing, and Managing a Global Venture – January 24,
2012 By Robert D. Hisrich

7. Inspiration
Inspiration for Global Entrepreneurship comes from personal experience and a combination of global
initiatives and academic programs
The Indus Entrepreneurs (TiE)
Center for Innovation Incubation and Entrepreneurship ( CIIE at IIM Ahmedabad)
BIhar Entrepreneurs Network (BEN)
Jharkhand Entrepreneurs Network ( JEN)
Babson College, Global Entrepreneurship Seminar The work of Professor Daniel Isenberg
MIT Global Entrepreneurship Lab
Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) Started between Babson College and London School of
Economics
Thunderbird School of Global Management
Personal experience gained from years of working with global organizations and teaching / living abroad

8. Logistics
Global Entrepreneurship Networks may be offered as an elective course for the 2nd
year PGP or MDP attendees during in 2016 or 2017.
The course can be adjusted to a full or half-semester offering
Recommendation: Launch “Global Entrepreneurship Networks” as a half-semester
offering
Global Entrepreneurship is meant to provide students with MBA-level credit towards
studies in Management and Entrepreneurship
Global Entrepreneurship would be taught by Atul Kumar with guest lectures by
leaders, entrepreneurs from across the world co-ordinated by Atul

9. About Atul Kumar
Atul Kumar is a consultant, educator and entrepreneur from San Jose, California and CEO & Founder of
A++ Ventures. He provides leadership, business strategy, and consulting to enterprises in Silicon Valley &
India. Atul mentors selected startups and has initiatives such as Bihar Entrepreneurs Network, Jharkhand
Entrepreneurs Network, IIM Society. He has also worked with entrepreneur systems like TiE, NEN, CIIE
etc. He lectures and organized workshops in strategy, digital marketing, globalization, technology
especially in Health, Education & Entrepreneurship.
Atul spent 15+ years working in global corporations like GE, Genpact, Accretive Health, Infosys, Virtusa
where he led operations, integration, technology, business development, relationship management for
technology and business services companies in US, Europe, Asia. Atul started his career as a summer
intern at GE Capital building startups in Consumer and Finance Portals. He moved on to Lean Six Sigma
and Transition roles for various clients of GE & Genpact in Asia, US & Europe. He led projects in Capital
Markets, Integration, Globalization in Financial Services before moving to Sales & Account Management
roles in Healthcare across Payers, Providers, Pharma and Diagnostics companies.
Atul received his MBA in Entrepreneurship & Leadership from IIM Ahmedabad in 2001, where he was the
Computer Center Coordinator managing the management school’s computer lab serving about 500+
students . Outside of work, you can find Atul attending or speaking at various entrepreneurial ventures in
BIhar, Jharkhand, California, New York, New Jersey etc.. He mentors students, entrepreneurs on how to
connect with investors, partners, mentors, markets and governments. He has lectured students at IIM Bodh
Gaya, IIM Ranchi, CIMP, AN College, NYU Polytech, IIT Kharagpur in recent years. He is writing on Book
on “Network Quotient”