Jim Ellis

Lecturer in Management
Deans’ Liaison for Lecturers and Teaching Development
MBA Class of 1973 Lecturer for 2024–2025
Jim Ellis

Bio

Mr. Ellis is a lecturer in management at Stanford Graduate School of Business. 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 co-founded 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 Stanford Graduate School of Business 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 GSB 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

Awards and Honors

  • MBA Class of 1973 Lecturer, 2023–2024
  • MBA Class of 1973 Lecturer, 2022–23
  • MBA Class of 1973 Lecturer, 2021–22
  • MBA Class of 1973 Lecturer, 2020–21
  • MBA Class of 1973 Lecturer, 2019–20
  • MBA Class of 1973 Lecturer, 2018–19
  • MBA Class of 1973 Lecturer, 2017–18
  • Entrepreneur of the Year Award, Ernst & Young, 2001

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

      Professional Experience

      • Cofounder, Director, Asurion Corp., 1995–present
      • Founder, Director, Mill River, 1994–95
      • Case Writer, Stanford University, 1993–94

      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.

      Non-Degree Courses

      Programs and Non-Degree Courses

      Cases

      Jim Ellis, Patricia Nakache, Lucy Montgomery
      2021
      E743
      Jim Ellis, Jack Strabo
      2021
      E762
      Jim Ellis, Imogen Mansfield
      2021
      H. Irving Grousbeck, David Dodson, Jim Ellis, Erika Feldhausen
      2020
      Garth Saloner, Jim Ellis, Jeffrey Conn
      2018
      Jim Ellis, Matt Saucedo
      2017
      H. Irving Grousbeck, Jim Ellis, Graham Weaver, Sara Rosenthal
      2016
      Jim Ellis, Jessica Morgan
      2015
      Jim Ellis
      2014
      E484
      Jim Ellis, Justin Randolph
      2014
      Jim Ellis, Katherine Rudolph Bose
      2013
      Jim Ellis, Justin Randolph
      2013
      E423
      Jeffrey Chambers, Michael Child, R. Ellis, Arar Han
      2012
      R. Ellis, Arar Han, Kevin Taweel
      2012
      Neel Bhatia, R. Ellis, J.P. Flaum, Arar Han
      2011
      Neel Bhatia, R. Ellis, J.P. Flaum, Arar Han
      2011
      Bethany Coates, R. Ellis, Lisa Sweeney
      2010
      Bethany Coates, R. Ellis, Lisa Sweeney
      2010
      Bethany Coates, R. Ellis, Lisa Sweeney, Anne Beyer
      2010
      Bethany Coates, R. Ellis, Lisa Sweeney
      2010
      R. Ellis, Lacey Wismer
      2009
      R. Ellis, Sean Harrington
      2008
      R. Ellis, Garth Saloner, Amanda Silverman
      2008
      Katherine Bose, R. Ellis
      2008
      Bethany Coates, R. Ellis
      2007
      R. Ellis, Sean Harrington
      2007
      Bethany Coates, R. Ellis
      2007
      Bethany Coates, R. Ellis
      2007
      R. Ellis, Alex Tauber
      2006
      R. Ellis, Garth Saloner, Alex Tauber
      2006
      Patrick Arippol, R. Ellis, Joshua Spitzer
      2006
      R. Ellis, Mike Harkey, Garth Saloner
      2005
      R. Ellis, Alicia Seiger
      2004
      Lauren Dutton, Jim Ellis, H. Grousbeck, Kevin Taweel
      1995
      Jim Ellis, H. Grousbeck
      1994
      H. Grousbeck, J. Ellis
      1994
      H. Grousbeck, J. Ellis
      1994
      H. Grousbeck, J. Ellis
      1993

      Insights by Stanford Business

      March 19, 2021
      An interview with Zoom’s CEO. A crisis-leadership playbook. A podcast on virtual presentations. And a word on how to close shop gracefully.
      May 28, 2020
      Venture funding may be scarce right now, but it does exist — especially for ideas that meet the moment.
      October 15, 2018
      A little-known investment vehicle skyrockets young entrepreneurs into top roles.
      October 20, 2017
      Stanford GSB faculty and industry leaders help young executives of search fund companies navigate their new roles.

      School News

      October 04, 2024
      An academy with Stanford GSB roots is preparing students from across the continent to return home as innovators and changemakers.