You’ve got a million-dollar idea, your college roommate as your co-founder, and even a colorful slide deck. Now what? You need capital, credibility, and clarity. That’s where Foster’s Master of Science in Entrepreneurship and faculty like Elizabeth Scallon come in.
Scallon helps Foster School of Business students master the art of securing funding, winning buy-in, and leading with impact, just like she does every day in her career. As HP’s Director of Innovation Incubation, Scallon uses persuasion to move bold ideas forward. At Foster, she shares those same techniques in a class about persuasion, preparing Master of Science in Entrepreneurship students with successful entrepreneurs’ methods.
“I teach my students to use a pitch deck to communicate their ideas, which is exactly how I operate at HP,” Scallon says. “Every day, I present concepts to leadership using the same startup-style format I expect from my students. It’s not the traditional corporate route, but it works. That alignment keeps my teaching grounded in the real world and shows students these skills translate.”
“Persuasion, to me, is about crafting a message that resonates logically, emotionally, and ethically.”—Elizabeth Scallon
learning from an insider
Great ideas aren’t enough for early-stage founders. Entrepreneurs must communicate clearly and purposefully to attract investment, build partnerships, and rally support. That’s why persuasion isn’t treated as a soft skill in Scallon’s class; it’s a strategic tool.
In the entrepreneurship program, students pitch, persuade, and iterate like real founders. And they’re guided by professionals like Scallon who’ve done it themselves.
Before joining HP, Scallon helped launch and scale CoMotion Labs, an incubator that supports startups ranging from blockchain to AR/VR and biotech across the University of Washington. That startup experience is baked into every lesson she teaches.
“It all starts with respect—for yourself, your mission, and the people you’re trying to reach.”—Elizabeth Scallon
pitching, not performing
Scallon’s course, Persuasion: Pitching, Public Relations, and Public Speaking, is offered to students in both the Master of Science in Entrepreneurship and Full-Time MBA programs. Her approach centers on authentic communication, building trust, and not putting on a show.
“I’m teaching students to craft their message to build trust,” she says. “And that honesty and authenticity can persuade, whether your goal is to get people to hire you or fund your company.”
learning goes both ways
At HP, Scallon identifies new lines of business and explores how emerging technologies can unlock new markets. Currently, Scallon is leading a new business at HP, growing it from the idea stage to customer pilots while actively validating it for potential market launch.
Her students benefit as she draws from her lived experiences at HP and in the startup sphere. However, Scallon says the learning flows both ways.
“I learn as much from the students as I hope they learn from me,” she says. “I love the University of Washington. I think it’s the best public university in the world. Seattle is an epicenter of innovation, and the university is central to that. It’s an honor for me to be able to play a part in that.”
“There’s a joy in bridging academic insight and real-world impact.”—Elizabeth Scallon
comotion labs as a startup launchpad
Scallon has been a key contributor to the University of Washington’s entrepreneurial ecosystem for years. “I had the honor of launching CoMotion Labs when it was still a small, University of Washington-focused biotech space,” Scallon recalls. “We expanded it into a broader, multi-industry hub. We brought in communities working on AI and more.”
What began as a niche incubator quickly became a hub of innovation, where researchers, students, and founders could explore big ideas together. The lab provided space, mentorship, and momentum for startups to grow, and has helped transform the University of Washington’s role in the regional innovation economy.
Scallon’s Foster classroom is built on the same values that shaped her work at CoMotion: collaboration, experimentation, and clear communication. She focuses on connection and guides students in building presentations that are persuasive, practical, and true to their voice.
“There’s a joy in bridging academic insight and real-world impact,” she explains. “It’s not just about startups. It’s about building a pipeline from bold ideas to economic growth, from student projects to real careers.”
practice like a real founder
For students with technical or analytical backgrounds, the subject of persuasion can feel vague or intimidating. But Scallon makes the process approachable and powerful.
“We’re not teaching tricks or shortcuts,” Scallon explains. “It’s not about mirroring someone or trying to game the system. Persuasion, to me, is about crafting a message that resonates logically, emotionally, and ethically. Are you addressing what matters to your audience? Are you building the kind of trust and reputation that makes people want to support your company, buy your product, or invest in your vision?”
Students rehearse their pitches and deliver them to each other, giving and receiving feedback in a collaborative, low-stakes environment. The result? Students leave class with polished decks, clear messaging, and the confidence to walk into real-life investor meetings.
“I learn as much from the students as I hope they learn from me.”—Elizabeth Scallon
respect: the startup superpower
One of Scallon’s core lessons is that effective persuasion starts with mutual respect. In her course, Scallon introduces frameworks like Dr. Julie Pham’s 7 Forms of Respect, highlighting how people interpret “respect” differently based on their values and backgrounds. This tool helps students tailor their message and listen more intentionally.
Scallon often returns to this theme.
“It all starts with respect, for yourself, your mission, and the people you’re trying to reach,” Scallon explains. “If you’re building a company just to make money, there are easier paths. But if you’re trying to solve real problems, you need others to come with you. And that begins with understanding them, not placating but truly respecting their perspective. That’s the foundation of influence.”
Every entrepreneur dreams of launching the next big thing. But even the boldest visionaries need someone to show them the ropes. Whether it’s refining a pitch, motivating a team, or winning over investors, there’s no substitute for guidance from someone who’s been there.
Learn more about the Master of Science in Entrepreneurship here.