Technology Ventures I
MGT-434 / 3 crédits
Enseignant: Bavato Davide
Langue: Anglais
Remark: Une seule inscription à un cours SHS+MGT autorisée. En cas d'inscriptions multiples elles seront toutes supprimées sans notification.
Summary
Technology Ventures provides a science-based foundation and hands-on experience in launching new ventures. By working on their own concepts, students learn to recognize attractive market opportunities, design scalable business models, and develop effective market-entry strategies.
Content
The course explores the earliest stages of the entrepreneurial process: from the identification of promising opportunities to the development of an effective market-entry strategy.
In the fall semester, we concentrate on the discovery, evaluation, and testing of entrepreneurial opportunities using science-based approaches and methodologies. In the spring semester (see Technology Ventures II), we further advance venture projects by addressing key strategic questions around commercialization, intellectual property, financing, and sustainability.
The course is designed to be a "safe-to-fail" learning environment for students who are actively considering an entrepreneurial path -- whether you are still searching for an idea or are already working on an early-stage concept.
Throughout the course you will have access to EPFL's makerspace and prototyping facilities, receive feedback from peers, instructors, and external experts, and gain valuable exposure to the local entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Keywords
Entrepreneurship, New ventures, Technology commercialization, Ideation, Prototyping, Lean Startup
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the course, the student must be able to:
- Discuss the different drivers of entrepreneurial activity and venture success
- Explore broad set of venture opportunities emerging from new technologies and societal needs
- Analyze venture opportunities using integrative, structured frameworks
- Apply science-based methods to develop, test, and iteratively refine a compelling value proposition
- Design an innovative and economically viable business model
- Plan a compelling market entry strategy, including plans for commercialization, industrialization, and financing
- Present your concept to prospective customers, investors, and other key stakeholders
- Develop an "entrepreneurial mindset"
Transversal skills
- Make an oral presentation.
- Take feedback (critique) and respond in an appropriate manner.
- Take responsibility for environmental impacts of her/ his actions and decisions.
- Collect data.
- Use a work methodology appropriate to the task.
- Demonstrate a capacity for creativity.
- Continue to work through difficulties or initial failure to find optimal solutions.
- Communicate effectively with professionals from other disciplines.
Teaching methods
- Project work (New venture project)
- Lectures
- In-class exercises
- Case studies
- Guest speakers
Expected student activities
- Work in small teams (2-3 people) on a new or very early-stage venture concept
- Build a first prototype and collect real-world feedback from prospective users/customers
- Actively engaging in in-class exercises and live interaction with founders, investors, and startup operators from the local ecosystem
Assessment methods
This course uses continuous assessment to spread the workload evenly over the semester and to maximise timely feedback from peers, instructors, and external experts. Grades combine individual and team performance.
- New venture project (60%)
- Peer-to-peer feedback (20%)
- Short reflection note (20%)
Supervision
| Office hours | Yes |
| Assistants | Yes |
| Forum | Yes |
| Others | Office hours upon request |
Resources
Virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI)
No
Bibliography
Relevant readings and resources are given in the comprehensive syllabus handed out at the beginning of the term.
Moodle Link
Prerequisite for
Technology Ventures II
Dans les plans d'études
- Semestre: Automne
- Nombre de places: 40
- Forme de l'examen: Pendant le semestre (session d'hiver)
- Matière examinée: Technology Ventures I
- Cours: 2 Heure(s) hebdo x 14 semaines
- Projet: 1 Heure(s) hebdo x 14 semaines
- Type: obligatoire