Financial analysis in management of technology programs: links in a clinical approach

Economies rely on technological innovation for growth. To reap the benefits from technological innovation, managers, innovators, entrepreneurs and businesses need to understand the business environment so that they can successfully bring their products and ideas into the market. Pedagogy in technology management is directly linked to financial decision-making and yet few programs link both disciplines. The University of New Mexico (UNM) Management of Technology (MOT) program has evolved over the years with a critical link between technology and business, with programs and activities that not only train students to be experts at technology management but also to be financially competent. In this paper, we describe and prescribe the entrepreneurial finance and securities analysis courses, and how they can help technology managers, CEOs, strategists and technology entrepreneurs. These courses help MOT professionals in evaluating a range of decisions from the different sources of financing at the beginning of a venture all the way to the different exit strategies when they eventually exit the venture. Our recommendation is that a tighter link will help MOT programs around the world.