Problem. We have one. You can solve it.
Every business in West Michigan has a problem that software can fix. This class shows you how to find one. Then you build the fix and sell it.
Intro to Tech Entrepreneurship
CIS 280 undergraduate · CIS 580 graduate · Winter 2027
Counts as your capstone or special topics credit. Open to any major.
0 to 1 You already build things. Build one people pay for.
Your side project with paying users. This class takes what you can already make and turns it into a company.
? What if the company you start in class is a real one?
You leave with a company that is ready to grow with you. A product. Customers. A pitch. A support network that knows you.
CEO Founder. CEO. Could this be you?
Start a company this semester. Fourteen founders and investors will be in the room with you.
$1 The first dollar is the hardest.
This class teaches you how to earn it. You learn to pitch and price and close. Then you learn to scale and create value at scale.
14 Fourteen weeks. Fourteen founders and investors.
One a week in your class. They tell you how it actually happened. This class will build you an incredible support network.
The semester
Fourteen guests
A founder or investor from West Michigan visits every week. They tell you how it actually happened.
One sprint
Find a problem worth solving. Build the product. Sell it. You do all three in one semester.
The pitch
You learn to pitch and price and close. You finish the class with a pitch you can give anywhere.
The network
You meet the people who build companies here. Tours of West Michigan startups and coworking spaces are part of the class.
Register for Winter 2027
CIS 280 undergraduate · CIS 580 graduate · Winter 2027
Counts as your capstone or special topics credit.
Open to any major.
Zach DeBruine, professor and entrepreneur
debruinz@gvsu.eduEmail Zach about registering
Questions about credit? Email Zach and copy your advisor.