Entrepreneurship: Turning Ideas into Business

Recommended Prerequisites

The student should have proficiency in the english language at a B1 level.

Teaching Methods

The course is conducted in a B-Learning model, combining asynchronous and in-person classes with a practical approach focused on the initial development of an entrepreneurial project. The instructor will guide the students’ learning and project development, using asynchronous online content, available in a digital environment that allows for flexible learning, along with other relevant digital materials. Creativity, reflection, and discussion among students of their projects will be encouraged, and guest speakers will be invited to share their experiences and inspire the students.

Learning Outcomes

This curricular unit aims to introduce students to the possibility of entrepreneurship as an alternative career, highlighting the importance of an entrepreneurial and innovative attitude. The course will equip students with technical, social, and behavioral skills for creating an innovative business. Upon completion, students should be able to: develop an entrepreneurial mindset and soft skills to implement a project; exercise creativity to solve problems; transform challenges into business opportunities; conduct market studies and develop differentiated value propositions; create and analyze business models; create differentiated strategic positions; evaluate, manage, and mitigate risks associated with business ideas; conduct preliminary financial analyses; distinguish different forms of Intellectual Property and business funding; communicate a business idea; plan and execute the first steps to create a start-up.

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

1 Introduction to Entrepreneurship and Innovation

Entrepreneurship and Innovation; The mindset of a successful entrepreneur; Turning ideas into business

2 Creativity Processes and Techniques

Concept of creativity; Creative process; Creativity techniques; Design Thinking

3 From Business Idea to Business Proposal

Value Proposition Canvas; Other tools; Market analysis, research, and testing

4 Developing Innovative Business Models

Business Models; How to create and analyze Business Models?

5 Testing and Validating an Innovative Business Model

Conducting Business Models tests and validations; The BML process; Testing and validation techniques; Planning and implementing tests

6 Communicating a Business Idea

Understanding communication; Structuring the pitch

7 Launching and Scaling a Start-Up

Business legal structure; Strategy development; Investment and Financing; Economic and financial analysis and risk; Intellectual property; Project management; Growth validation and scale-Up

Head Lecturer(s)

Diogo Navin Tiago Bhovan

Assessment Methods

Assessment
Active participation in face-to-face classes: 10.0%
Mini Tests: 20.0%
Project: 70.0%

Bibliography

Bessant, J. and Tidd, J. (2015), Innovation and entrepreneurship, 3rd ed. John Wiley and Sons.

Osterwalder, A. Pigneur, Y. (2010), Business Model Generation: A Handbook For Visionaries, Game Changers, And Challengers, 1st ed. John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Osterwalder, A. Pigneur, Y. Bernarda, G. Smith, A. (2014), Value Proposition Design: How to Create Products and Services Customers Want, John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Byers, T. H., Dorf, R.C. and Nelson, A. (2018), Technology Ventures: From Idea to Enterprise, 5th ed., McGraw-Hill Higher Education.

Keeley, L., Walters, H., Pikkel, R., and Quinn, B. (2013), Ten Types of Innovation: The Discipline of Building Breakthroughs, 1st ed. John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Kleon, A. (2012), Steal Like an Artist: 10 Things Nobody Told You About Being Creative, 1st ed. Workman Publishing Company.

Maurya, A. (2012), Running Lean: Iterate from Plan A to a Plan That Works, 1st ed. O’Reilly Media.

Ries, ERIC: “The Lean Startup” Penguin Books, Oct 2011.