Jim Ellis

Teaching Statement

Jim Ellis’ research and writings are focused on the topics of new venture formation and the effective management of small to mid-sized enterprises. Over the last several years he has worked closely with his faculty colleagues to refine course material related to the process of evaluating entrepreneurial opportunities. Mr. Ellis also works extensively with a number of diverse businesses as founder, investor, board member, and advisor.

Bio

Mr. Ellis is a Lecturer in Management at the Graduate School of Business at Stanford University. He is currently teaching two strategic management courses that center around the early stages of the entrepreneurial process. These courses include Formation of New Ventures (S353), and Managing Growing Enterprises (S355). Mr. Ellis takes a personal interest and enjoys participating in and contributing to the learning process faced by each of his students.

Prior to coming to Stanford, Mr. Ellis held a number of positions with both large and small companies. In 1995, Mr. Ellis cofounded Asurion with Kevin Taweel to provide value-added solutions for the wireless communications industry. Previously responsible for Asurion’s sales and marketing efforts, Mr. Ellis is an active member of the company’s board of directors. Mr. Ellis has also held positions as a research associate at the Graduate School of Business at Stanford University and as a consultant with IMG and Cresap, McCormick, and Paget. He is a member of a number of Boards of Directors including BUILD, Asurion, Service Source Inc., Memento Press, Half Moon Bay Brewing Company, and Southern California Risk Management Associates. Mr. Ellis holds an MBA from Stanford University and a bachelor’s degree with high honors in economics from Dartmouth College. He is also a recipient of Ernst and Young’s prestigious Entrepreneur of the Year award.

Academic Degrees

• MBA, Stanford GSB, 1993
• BA, Dartmouth, 1987

Academic Appointments

• At Stanford since 2003

Professional Experience

• Cofounder, Director, Asurion Corp., 1995-present
• Founder, Director, Mill River, 1994–1995
• Case Writer, Stanford University, 1993–1994

Awards and Honors

• MBA Class of 1973 Lecturer, 2017-2018
• Deans' Liaison for Lecturers and Teaching Development, 2017-present
• Entrepreneur of the Year Award, Ernst & Young, 2001

Teaching

Degree Courses

2017-18

STRAMGT 353: Entrepreneurship: Formation of New Ventures

This course is offered for students who at some time may want to undertake an entrepreneurial career by pursuing opportunities leading to partial or full ownership and control of a business. The course deals with case situations from the point of...

STRAMGT 355: Managing Growing Enterprises

This course is offered for students who, in the near term, aspire to the management and full or partial ownership of a new or newly-acquired business. The seminar, which is limited to 45 students, has a strong implementation focus, and deals in...

STRAMGT 543: Entrepreneurial Acquisition

For aspiring entrepreneurs who don''t have a burning idea or desire to start a company from scratch, acquiring a small business can provide a direct route to running and growing a business. This class will explore entrepreneurial acquisition (EA...

2016-17

STRAMGT 353: Entrepreneurship: Formation of New Ventures

This course is offered for students who at some time may want to undertake an entrepreneurial career by pursuing opportunities leading to partial or full ownership and control of a business. The course deals with case situations from the point of...

STRAMGT 355: Managing Growing Enterprises

This course is offered for students who, in the near term, aspire to the management and full or partial ownership of a new or newly-acquired business. The seminar, which is limited to 45 students, has a strong implementation focus, and deals in...

STRAMGT 510: Conversations in Management

This case-based course is offered for students who want to refine their ability to manage challenging professional conversations. The class, which is limited to 32 students, will focus on the preparation for and execution of role-played dialogue...

STRAMGT 543: Entrepreneurial Acquisition

For aspiring entrepreneurs who don''t have a burning idea or desire to start a company from scratch, acquiring a small business can provide a direct route to running and growing a business. This class will explore entrepreneurial acquisition (EA...

Other Teaching

National Football League Business Management and Entrepreneurship Program

Insights by Stanford Business

writtenFour Lessons for New CEOs

October 20, 2017

Stanford GSB faculty and industry leaders help young executives of search fund companies navigate their new roles.