Law in Entrepreneurship

Catalog description

Law in Entrepreneurship equips students with the legal insight needed to navigate today’s global startup ecosystem. The course introduces entrepreneurial strategy through the lens of law, emphasizing its role as both a framework and a tool for competitive advantage. Students gain practical knowledge of the legal landscape shaping early-stage ventures, and fluency in challenges faced by founders, investors, and executives. Core topics include entity formation, founder agreements, intellectual property, financing, employment, compliance, and exit strategies, explored through case studies and real-world applications. Students act as decision-makers or strategic advisors, solving legal and business problems that affect growth, operations, and investor readiness. While founders often focus on product and market, legal structure and compliance are essential to scaling a venture. Law defines the environment in which a business operates and offers tools to codify internal standards. Legal fluency helps leaders avoid pitfalls, manage risk, and build stronger, more resilient startups. This course will be offered in January-Term 2026.