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Jim Ellis

Jim   Ellis
Lecturer
Jim Ellis
Lecturer in Management

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

  • Entrepreneur of the Year Award, Ernst & Young, 2001

Courses Taught

Degree Courses

2013-14

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...

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 40 students, has a strong implementation focus, and deals in...

2012-13

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 40 students, has a strong implementation focus, and deals in...

2011-12

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 40 students, has a strong implementation focus, and deals in...

Programs and Non-Degree Courses

Stanford Case Studies

E484 | Yobella
Jim Ellis, Justin Randolph2014
E455 | Weddington Way
Jim Ellis, Justin Randolph2013
E423 | Bigpoint
Jeffrey Chambers, Michael Child, R. Ellis, Arar Han2012
E443 | Smith & Company, The Bob Martin Vignettes
R. Ellis, Arar Han, Kevin Taweel2012
E416 | Note on Hiring
Neel Bhatia, R. Ellis, J.P. Flaum, Arar Han2011
E116B | ProjectSHED (B)
R. Ellis, Arar Han2011
E415 | Wilford College
Neel Bhatia, R. Ellis, J.P. Flaum, Arar Han2011
E358 | Sierra Capital Partners
Bethany Coates, R. Ellis, Lisa Sweeney2010
E362A | Work Well (A)
Bethany Coates, R. Ellis, Lisa Sweeney2010
E362B | Work Well (B)
Bethany Coates, R. Ellis, Lisa Sweeney2010
E362C | Work Well (C)
Bethany Coates, R. Ellis, Lisa Sweeney2010
E365 | Models of Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition
R. Ellis, Lacey Wismer2009
E289 | Aero Logistics
R. Ellis, Sean Harrington2008
E298 | Circles, Lifecycle of a New Venture
R. Ellis, Garth Saloner, Amanda Silverman2008
E320 | David Dunwood
Katherine Bose, R. Ellis2008
E279 | Jennifer Gaston
Bethany Coates, R. Ellis2007
E283 | Lazier Industries
R. Ellis, Sean Harrington2007
E299 | Note on Terminations
Bethany Coates, R. Ellis2007
E237 | Pacific Cares: Seizing a Market Opportunity
Bethany Coates, R. Ellis2007
E190 | An MBA Primer for Non-MBAs
R. Ellis, Alex Tauber2006
E211 | Fitness Anywhere
R. Ellis, Garth Saloner, Alex Tauber2006
E210 | Growing Up With University Games: 20 Years and Still Playing
Patrick Arippol, R. Ellis, Joshua Spitzer2006
E197 | Destination-U, College Counseling on the Internet
R. Ellis, Mike Harkey, Garth Saloner2005
E168 | Sarah Harris
R. Ellis, Alicia Seiger2004
E21 | Emergency Roadside Assistance
Lauren Dutton, Jim Ellis, H. Grousbeck, Kevin Taweel1995
E15 | Donna Bookout-Coe
Jim Ellis, H. Grousbeck1994
E11 | Spanos & Yecies
H. Grousbeck, J. Ellis1994
E12 | Supercuts ®
H. Grousbeck, J. Ellis1994
E10 | ColeTek, Inc.
H. Grousbeck, J. Ellis1993

Stanford University Affiliations

Stanford GSB

  • Affiliation commas wrapper

    Center for Entrepreneurial Studies

Service to the Profession

  • Member, MBA Curriculum Redesign Task Force
  • National Basketball Players Association Program

Board Member

  • Service Source
  • Half Moon Bay Brewing Company
  • Icon Aircraft
  • Memento Press
  • BUILD