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The Dropout
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Startup Ethics & Regulated Industries

Fake It Till You Break It: Startup Ethics

Theranos didn't fail because of a technical setback; it failed because 'fake it till you make it' met a regulated industry with patient lives. Use the case to teach the ethics of ambition.

AdvancedProfessional development

Modules

Module 1

Narrative vs. Fraud

Anchor scene

The keynote scenes

In this module

  • Salesmanship vs. securities fraud
  • Duty to update prior statements
  • The regulator's ear

Course outcomes

  • Draw the line between narrative and misrepresentation
  • Understand regulatory duties in health, finance, and safety-critical fields
  • Build board and investor controls that catch fraud early
  • Design a culture that surfaces bad news