University of Wisconsin Computer Science professors Paul Barford and Remzi Arpaci-Dusseau are now leading an undergraduate class that focuses on the intricacies of creating software companies.

“Students have to understand the startup process, learn to pitch ideas and become familiar with business techniques and the commercial and legal aspects,” Arpaci-Dusseau said in a statement.

Barford demonstrated success in the field following the sale of his startup, Nemean Networks. He hopes his class will provide a “fertile environment” for creating software companies.

UW alumni known as the “Silicon Valley Badgers” will serve as mentors. Students also are allowed access to the Hybrid Zone X in the Wisconsin Institutes for Discovery (WID), which provides entrepreneurs with a hands-on experimental laboratory for the social design of new ventures, according to the WID website.