Online courses in business may teach venture capital investment strategies

Online courses in business may teach venture capital investment strategies

Students and professionals who take advantage of the offerings of online universities may learn how to achieve great returns on their investments similar to those reaped by business students at the University of Michigan.

The Samuel Zell and Robert H. Lurie Institute for Entrepreneurial Studies at the university's Ross School of Business has announced its Wolverine Venture Fund has earned a $2 million return on its investment in HandyLab.

Complete responsibility for the $3.5 million venture fund lies with students and approximately 100 of them worked together to invest $350,000 in the company between 2000 and 2005.

HandyLab is the third successful investment students have made using the venture fund since it was created nine years ago.

Investment in the company, which was founded by two of the school's chemical engineering doctoral degree candidates, afforded business students "an opportunity to watch the company's evolution, track its progress and make investment decisions over time that yielded great results," said Tim Petersen, former managing director of the institute.

Individuals who wish to take advantage of the offerings of intensive MBA programs may consider sharpening their business skills by taking classes at online universities.