Technology Ventures II

MGT-436 / 3 crédits

Enseignant: Bavato Davide

Langue: Anglais

Withdrawal: It is not allowed to withdraw from this subject after the registration deadline.

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 (see Technology Ventures I), we concentrate on the discovery, evaluation, and testing of entrepreneurial opportunities using science-based approaches and methodologies. In the spring semester, 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 Prerequisites

Required courses

Technology Ventures I (MGT-434)

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.
  • Communicate effectively with professionals from other disciplines.
  • Continue to work through difficulties or initial failure to find optimal solutions.
  • Demonstrate a capacity for creativity.
  • Take responsibility for environmental impacts of her/ his actions and decisions.
  • Use a work methodology appropriate to the task.
  • Collect data.

Teaching methods

  • Project work (New venture project)
  • Lectures
  • In-class exercises
  • Case studies
  • Guest speakers

 

Expected student activities

  • Working in small teams (2-3 people) on a new or very early-stage venture project
  • Building a first prototype and collecting 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 (70%)
  • Peer-to-peer feedback (30%)

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.

Websites

Moodle Link

Dans les plans d'études

  • Semestre: Printemps
  • Nombre de places: 40
  • Forme de l'examen: Pendant le semestre (session d'été)
  • Matière examinée: Technology Ventures II
  • Projet: 3 Heure(s) hebdo x 14 semaines
  • Type: obligatoire

Semaine de référence

Cours connexes

Résultats de graphsearch.epfl.ch.