curriculum
Innovation and Entrepreneurialism When Jonathan Bentrim began
technology officer for Safeguard
the new VSB course titled “Innovation &
Scientifics Inc., a public venture invest-
created business ideas, and developed
Entrepreneurialism” in the Spring 2010
ment firm in Wayne, Pennsylvania.
presentations. In the final two classes,
semester, he and many of his fellow
Drawing from that experience, he
they pitched their plans to a panel of
students did not know exactly what
structured a course intended to teach
investors made up of Andriole and
to expect.
students how entrepreneurs and corpo-
several of his serial-entrepreneur
rations catalyze innovation.
associates: Vince Schiavone, co-founder
Andriole first prepared the students
sion production “Shark Tank.” However,
through traditional classroom lectures,
few of them had ever heard of the show,
then led them through creating and
Capital Group; and Paul Melchiorre
let alone seen it. So, Bentrim says, they
preparing product ideas and busi-
VSB ’83, global vice president at
started taping and watching episodes.
ness plans. “In the process, we talked
Ariba—all of whom have founded,
They learned that “Shark Tank” places
about best practices around innova-
co-founded, and sold many companies.
entrepreneurs in front of a panel of four
tion, how companies like Google and
“I tried to play a facilitator role,”
“angel” investors (or sharks), giving
Apple innovate,” Andriole says. “We
Andriole says, “which is tough, because
them the opportunity to pitch their
considered methodologies for creating
you can’t herd cats, or sharks. Our panel
business ideas in hopes of winning a
an innovative culture, we discussed
was comprised of pretty aggressive
negotiated investment.
the tactical steps involved with a new
individuals. In my opinion, they were the
idea, and we cautioned students about
real deal, and better than the people on
oped, and taught by Stephen Andriole,
risk analysis.” At the beginning of each
the TV show.”
a professor in VSB’s Department
class, Andriole would show snippets of
of Management and Operations—
“Shark Tank,” complete with the rousing
Bentrim’s favorite parts of the course.
culminated in the same way. Before
theme music. “I was using it as a way to
“That really added some interesting
joining VSB in 2001, Andriole was
say ‘Get ready, because this is going to
elements,” says the May 2010 Villanova
the senior vice president and chief
happen to you.’ ”
MBA graduate who now serves as
The course—conceived, devel-
12
and CEO of ListenLogic; John Loftus
based on the format of the ABC televi-
villanova business | fall 2010
CE ’83, managing director at the Internet
Facing the sharks was one of
illustration: peter arkle
They did know the course would be
The students divided into groups,
