Every year, the Global Entrepreneurship Education Summit draws thought leaders from across the world to share their insights and experiences in entrepreneurship education. This year’s Summit is no exception, with an impressive roster of speakers which includes Angela Lee, a prominent figure from Columbia Business School.

Angela is renowned for her innovative work in the field of entrepreneurship education. With over a decade of experience as a startup investor, Angela is not just an educator, but a practitioner. Her unique approach to education has revolutionized the learning process for countless aspiring entrepreneurs at Columbia and beyond.

Angela Lee, Professor at Columbia Business School & Entrepreneurship Faculty Director

In this interview, we’ll explore Angela’s journey into entrepreneurship education, her perspective on key skills for entrepreneurial success, her predictions for the future of entrepreneurship education, and her thoughts on the role of AI and technologies like ChatGPT in education.

Angela’s Journey into Entrepreneurship Education

Frustrated by the complex world of startup investing, Angela embarked on a mission to unravel its intricacies. Her inquisitive spirit led her to create the “37 Angels bootcamp,” a program aimed at demystifying the startup investing process. The program focuses on everything from sourcing deals to valuing startups, negotiating term sheets, and strategizing portfolios. The bootcamp’s success was unprecedented, eventually evolving into the renowned Foundations of VC course at Columbia Business School.

Essential Skills for Entrepreneurs

Angela emphasizes three skills as paramount for successful entrepreneurship:

  1. Customer acquisition: Angela describes startups as “customer acquisition machines.” Effective, data-driven customer acquisition strategies are a must for any aspiring entrepreneur.
  2. Empathy: Founders need to understand the needs and problems of their customers, teams, and investors. Angela highlights empathy as an essential characteristic, especially in industries with multiple stakeholders like healthcare and education.
  3. Making thoughtful asks: Successful entrepreneurs know when to seek help and how to do so effectively.

The Future of Entrepreneurship Education

In looking to the future of entrepreneurship education, Angela sees experiential and personalized learning taking center stage. Learning cannot be confined to classrooms, and the most effective programs engage students in practical tasks such as prototyping, conducting customer interviews, and performing market research. Additionally, educators must consider each student’s unique learning journey and adapt to meet their needs.

AI and Education

When asked about the use of AI and new technologies like ChatGPT in education, Angela expressed excitement but also caution. She acknowledges the potential of these tools to enrich teaching but warns against their overuse. According to Angela, good teaching is fundamentally about clear exposition, defined learning outcomes, and continual assessment of students’ learning progress. New technologies should serve as tools to enhance these goals, rather than becoming distractions.

In conclusion, Angela Lee is a beacon of innovation in the field of entrepreneurship education. Her insights serve as a guide for educators, investors, and entrepreneurs alike. As the field of entrepreneurship education continues to evolve, Angela’s perspectives will be an essential compass, helping to chart the course forward.

Angela also shared some simple but useful tools to use for GEES participants:

 

Get ready for the Global Entrepreneurship Education Summit on July 26-27(28)!

If, for some reason, you haven’t registered yet, you can still secure your place here.