Entrepreneurial Leadership Project - Spring

MGT-554 / 4 credits

Teacher(s): Bavato Davide, Ilic Alexander

Language: English

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

Remark: Inscription nécessitant l'autorisation préalable des enseignants

Summary

This course, in collaboration with the Talent Kick program, helps aspiring student entrepreneurs gain hands-on entrepreneurial experience on the path from research into practice. Talent Kick is an initiative of the Kick Foundation.

Content

Scalable startups can transform latest research discoveries into real-world impact. An entrepreneurial spirit and mindset is what helps young leaders to bring research into practice, and navigate complex environments. There is no better time to develop that mindset and explore an entrepreneurial career path than during your studies. This course helps aspiring entrepreneurs gain hands-on experience on that journey from research to practice.

The course is practically oriented and features guest speakers from leading start-ups. The examples and cases will be primarily from software, AI, and other deep-tech ventures. The course sessions are structured as follows:

  • Introductions & kick-off
  • What Makes a Good Entrepreneur?
  • Team Building
  • What Makes a Good Team?
  • The Idea Doesn't Matter
  • Networking
  • Problem Deep-Dive
  • Validation
  • Sales Psychology
  • Part I: Market Opportunity Navigator
  • Part II: Market Opportunity Navigator
  • Convince Others
  • Steering Committee & Partners Pitching
  • Systems Thinking & TK Trust Factor
  • Peer Pitching
  • Strategy Board Pitching

Notes on scheduling:

  • Main events are planned on Wednesdays and take place in Lausanne, Bern and Zürich (dates shared one semester in advance).
  • All other workshops, coaching and networking are held online.

 

Keywords

Entrepreneurship , New ventures, Validation, Founding team , Deep Tech , Startup ecosystem

 

Learning Prerequisites

Important concepts to start the course

Important: course enrollment is conditional on official admission to the Talent Kick program via its application process (results announced end of January for the Spring semester). More information on application calls and exact procedures can be found on https://www.talentkick.ch/

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course, the student must be able to:

  • Explain the importance and the tools needed to form successful interdisciplinary teams
  • Identify promising market applications and customer segments for research discoveries
  • Structure customer discovery process
  • Develop first prototype or MVP
  • Manage the complexity in bringing innovative products to market
  • Develop customer centric business strategy
  • Argue for their venture in front of early supporters, including mentors, prospective customers, investors

Transversal skills

  • Take feedback (critique) and respond in an appropriate manner.
  • Make an oral presentation.
  • Demonstrate a capacity for creativity.
  • Take responsibility for environmental impacts of her/ his actions and decisions.
  • Collect data.
  • Continue to work through difficulties or initial failure to find optimal solutions.
  • Communicate effectively with professionals from other disciplines.

Teaching methods

  • Project work
  • Lectures
  • In-class exercises
  • Case studies
  • Guest speakers

 

Assessment methods

Oral exam 100%

Supervision

Office hours Yes
Others Dedicated coaching sessions (1:1)

Resources

Websites

Moodle Link

In the programs

  • Semester: Spring
  • Number of places: 50
  • Exam form: Oral (summer session)
  • Subject examined: Entrepreneurial Leadership Project - Spring
  • Project: 8 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
  • Type: optional
  • Semester: Spring
  • Number of places: 50
  • Exam form: Oral (summer session)
  • Subject examined: Entrepreneurial Leadership Project - Spring
  • Project: 8 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
  • Type: optional
  • Semester: Spring
  • Number of places: 50
  • Exam form: Oral (summer session)
  • Subject examined: Entrepreneurial Leadership Project - Spring
  • Project: 8 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
  • Type: optional

Reference week

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