Business Research for Innovation, Design, Growth, and Entrepreneurship (BRIDGE)

Through a combination of online discussions via Zoom, real-life venture case studies, and venture simulations developed at the top Universities, this course prepares for your careers and advanced education in business, entrepreneurship, and management with a solid grounding in fundamentals. We learn and immerse ourselves on the topics of business innovation, venture financing, and growth strategy. The simulations help us experience the dynamics of a business venture and the challenges of raising money, leading the organization, and building wealth for the founders and stakeholders. Examples include companies that went from an idea to market and raised investment from angels and venture investors.

INSTRUCTOR: Professor Vish Krishnan (see below for more information)

PROGRAM SESSIONS: This program is entirely online via Zoom. No in person sessions will occur. 

SESSION 1: July 7th – July 25th 
                      Monday & Wednesday 
                      Time: 6pm - 8pm PST

SESSION 2: July 7th – July 25th
                      Tuesday & Thursday
                      Time: 6pm - 8pm PST

TUITION: $2,500

Learning Outcomes:

• Gain analytical, strategic, creative, and critical thinking skills needed to be an innovative, opportunity-driven, and entrepreneurial leader.
• Internalize and incorporate key components necessary to construct a business proposal/presentation for an innovative idea.
• Gain an understanding of core leadership skills necessary to guide innovative pursuits in turbulent environments.

Course outline: 

• Introduction to Business Innovation and Growth: Generating Ideas for Value Creation
• Economic and Financial Foundations of Businesses
• Developing and Implementing Business Strategy
• Uncovering and Fulfilling Unmet User and Customer Needs
• Designing Business Models for Growth and Scale
• Capturing Value and Synthesizing a Business Plan
  

Is financial aid available?
What are the dates?
Do I need to fill out an application?
Can I enroll in more than one session? 
What are the requirements?
Can you reserve my seat?
Do I have to log in at a specific time?
Where can I access my online course?
Why can’t I see my course online?
Can I take this course for credit?
Which grading option should I select?
Can I change my grading option?
How do I request a transcript?

Is financial aid available? 
The BRDIGE program is a self-supported program that does not receive any State or Federal funding. As a result, we are unable to offer financial aid or grants to our program participants. Students are encouraged to reach out to their school counselors and community for scholarship opportunities. Please also see the "Scholarship" tab for possible funding opportunities through our partners.

What are the dates? 
Session 1 will be held Monday & Wednesday via Zoom from July 7th - July 25th. 
Session 2 will be held Tuesday & Thursday via Zoom from July 7th - July 25th. 

Do I need to fill out an application? 
Yes, in order to register and attend the program an application must be filled out. The application is now live! Please view the Apply Now page for the application link.

Can I enroll in more than one session?
No, both sessions will be following the same schedule in curriculum. The only difference between the two sessions is that one is offered Monday & Wednesday while the other is offered on Tuesday & Thursday. On your application you will indiciate your preference for which session you wish to apply for. 

What are the requirements?
Current high school students entering 9^th through 12^th grade

Can you reserve my seat?
Enrollment is on a first-come, first serve basis. Please allow 1 to 2 business days for processing once you have registered for your course. Registration should be under the student’s name. Please make sure to log out of your personal account if you are registering your child.  

Do I have to log in at a specific time?
Yes, students will have schedule class time for live presentation. More information will follow as we get closer to the course dates. Please be sure to frequently check your emails for any notifications from staff or the Instructor. 

Where can I access my online course?
Students can log into their MyExtension account and click on “Canvas” from the tool box on the right. You can also go directly to the Canvas link here: https://extensioncanvas.ucsd.edu/.

Why can’t I see my course online?
Students will have access on the course start date, July 7th. To confirm your registration, please log into your MyExtension account. If you recently registered online, please allow 1 to 2 business days for processing

Can I take this course for credit?
This course is available for 3-precollege units. Transferability is up to the receiving institutions admissions office.

Which grading option should I select?
At UC San Diego Extension, you have the option to choose how you want your course(s) graded. Not all grading options are available for all courses. If you don’t choose a grading option, the default grading option will be assigned. Please note that this course is not part of a certificate program but the description for each still follows. Please note that Academic Connection courses are not part of a certificate program but the description for each still follows. 

• Letter Grade: A grade between A+ and F reflects your performance in the course and is included in your grade point average (GPA) calculation. A passing grade counts toward your earned credit hours or the required number of units for your certificate.

• Pass/No Pass: A grade of P or NP reflects whether you have passed the course, but does not otherwise indicate your performance. These grades are not included in your GPA calculation; however a P (passing) grade counts toward your earned credit hours or the required number of units for your certificate.
  
  
• Not for Credit: A grade of “NFC” reflects that you were enrolled in the course but does not indicate your performance. This grade appears on your transcript, but is not included in your GPA calculation and is not counted toward your earned credit hours or the required number of units for your certificate.

You will have the opportunity to select your grading option when you enroll in your course.

Can I change my grading option?
You may change your grading option at any time before the final class meeting (by 11:59 p.m. on the day before the published end date for online courses) or before final grades are posted, whichever comes first. Since the program ends on 7/25/2025, the deadline to change your grading option for an online course is by 11:59pm (PST) on Thursday, July 24^th, 2025.

1. Log in to My Extension.
2. Navigate to "My Courses" and select the course you would like to change.
3. On the right side under "Tools," select "Change Grading Option."
4. In the pop-up window that appears, click "Submit."

Or submit a written request via email to unex-reg@ucsd.edu. You will receive an email confirmation within one to two business days after your request is processed.

How do I request a transcript?
For instructions on how to order a transcript, please click here. If you’ve never ordered transcripts through Parchment before, you will need to register for a Parchment account. Details can be found from the link above. All transcripts will be printed and delivered by one of the methods listed here. Transcript requests are processed by Student Services. Should you have any questions, please contact them at unex-reg@ucsd.edu.

You can also view/download your grade report by logging in your MyExtension here.

Dr. Vish Krishnan

Professor Vish Krishnan holds the Jacobs Chair in Engineering and Management at the University of California, and is a faculty affiliate at the Harvard Business School’s Laboratory for Innovation Science. Prof. Krishnan holds a PhD from MIT and has co- authored some of the most cited articles on the topics of product management and growth strategy. An accomplished scholar and a 5-time winner of the Most Valuable Professor award with substantial industry and entrepreneurial experience, he leads a number of entrepreneurial initiatives at UC San Diego. Professor Krishnan has served in editorial positions at the top journals in the areas of Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Operations Management. He works with senior leadership and management development programs at major Fortune 100 companies.

Click here to learn more about Professor Krishnan

Application Deadline: Wednesday, May 28, 2025. Space is limited and students will be accepted on a rolling basis. Students will have 2 weeks to pay and enroll in their course once accepted.

Applications are now live! Please view our Apply Now page for the application link.

Cancellation or withdrawal for any reason by June 13, 2025 will receive a full refund 

Refunds for cancellation or withdrawal after June 13, 2025 will be issued for serious illness (doctor's certificate is required) or extenuating circumstances only. Tuition is not refunded for students who are dismissed from the program.

All refund requests must be made in writing to Maysoon Dong, Associate Director, UCSD Pre-College Programs at: precollege@ucsd.edu. You will receive a confirmation of your request. Refunds will take approximately 4-6 weeks to process. Refunds are issued in the same method of payment (check or charge) of payment to the program.