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Jim Ellis

Jim   Ellis
Lecturer
Contact Info
JimEllis
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

2015-16

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

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...

2014-15

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...

This seminar 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 will deal in some depth with certain selected, generic entrepreneurial issues,...

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...

Programs and Non-Degree Courses

Stanford Case Studies

Yobella | E484
Jim Ellis, Justin Randolph2014
John Preston | E487
Jim Ellis, Katherine Rudolph Bose2013
Weddington Way | E455
Jim Ellis, Justin Randolph2013
Bigpoint | E423
Jeffrey Chambers, Michael Child, R. Ellis, Arar Han2012
Smith & Company, The Bob Martin Vignettes | E443
R. Ellis, Arar Han, Kevin Taweel2012
Note on Hiring | E416
Neel Bhatia, R. Ellis, J.P. Flaum, Arar Han2011
Wilford College | E415
Neel Bhatia, R. Ellis, J.P. Flaum, Arar Han2011
Sierra Capital Partners | E358
Bethany Coates, R. Ellis, Lisa Sweeney2010
Work Well (A) | E362A
Bethany Coates, R. Ellis, Lisa Sweeney2010
Work Well (B) | E362B
Bethany Coates, R. Ellis, Lisa Sweeney2010
Work Well (C) | E362C
Bethany Coates, R. Ellis, Lisa Sweeney2010
Models of Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition | E365
R. Ellis, Lacey Wismer2009
Aero Logistics | E289
R. Ellis, Sean Harrington2008
Circles, Lifecycle of a New Venture | E298
R. Ellis, Garth Saloner, Amanda Silverman2008
David Dunwood | E320
Katherine Bose, R. Ellis2008
Jennifer Gaston | E279
Bethany Coates, R. Ellis2007
Lazier Industries | E283
R. Ellis, Sean Harrington2007
Note on Terminations | E299
Bethany Coates, R. Ellis2007
Pacific Cares: Seizing a Market Opportunity | E237
Bethany Coates, R. Ellis2007
An MBA Primer for Non-MBAs | E190
R. Ellis, Alex Tauber2006
Fitness Anywhere | E211
R. Ellis, Garth Saloner, Alex Tauber2006
Growing Up With University Games: 20 Years and Still Playing | E210
Patrick Arippol, R. Ellis, Joshua Spitzer2006
Destination-U, College Counseling on the Internet | E197
R. Ellis, Mike Harkey, Garth Saloner2005
Sarah Harris | E168
R. Ellis, Alicia Seiger2004
Emergency Roadside Assistance | E21
Lauren Dutton, Jim Ellis, H. Grousbeck, Kevin Taweel1995
Donna Bookout-Coe | E15
Jim Ellis, H. Grousbeck1994
Spanos & Yecies | E11
H. Grousbeck, J. Ellis1994
Supercuts ® | E12
H. Grousbeck, J. Ellis1994
ColeTek, Inc. | E10
H. Grousbeck, J. Ellis1993

Stanford University Affiliations

Stanford GSB

  • 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