I – LEARNING OBJECTIVES

This course introduces the fundamentals of technology entrepreneurship. Students will learn about the process technology entrepreneurs use to start innovative companies, e.g. Design Thinking, Effectuation or Business Modelling. To gain practical experience alongside the theory, students form teams together with engineers and scientists from Freie Universität Berlin (FU) and/or with Berlin-based companies. In these interdisciplinary teams, students will have the opportunity to experience hands-on interdisciplinary collaboration by developing real life innovation. The module is part of ESCP Europe’s and FU Berlin’s joint InnoBridge initiative (www.berlin-innobridge.de). Its ultimate goal is to foster the creation of technology based innovation in interdisciplinary teams.

II – LEARNING OUTCOMES

This course permits students to learn how technological innovations can be developed on the basis of current trends, new technologies and existing businesses. In particular, students will achieve the following learning goals:

• method competencies of technology entrepreneurship
• professional competences on the basis practical experience of the application of these methods in real life cases
• interdisciplinary collaboration with company representatives as well as researchers

III – CONTENT

The course at hand views the interdisciplinary team building as part of the entrepreneurial process and will draw on the latest methods of innovation management as well as entrepreneurship research. During this course students will develop tangible innovation concepts together with managers and researchers. The course is split into four components:

• methodological lectures
• visits to companies and research institutes
• work in project teams
• participation in InnoBridge events (InnoMatch, InnoDrive, DemoDay)

IV – TEACHING METHODS

This course uses a broad range of teaching methods to empower students for their technology innovation challenges:

• Readings, lectures and class discussions on concepts and tools
• Real-life cases of entrepreneurial ventures
• Group works to apply newly acquired knowledge and strengthen soft skills
• Peer-to- peer workshops
• Industry experts as guest speakers

During the work in project teams as well as during the InnoBridge events, all teams will have access to experienced mentors.

V - ABLAUF

The course will take place from January 2019 to March 2019. A preparation date will probably be offered on 24.10.2018 at 5 pm. 

Expected course of events:

January
1. Preparation: Introduction to Technology Entrepreneurship (at FU Berlin)
2. Preparation: Roles and Processes in Technology Entrepreneurship (at FU Berlin)

February
3. InnoMatch (at ESCP Europe)
4. Technology and Product (at ESCP Europe)
5. Market, Competition and Marketing (at ESCP Europe)

March
6. Pitching (at ESCP Europe)
7. Intellectual Property (at ESCP Europe)
8. Demo Day (at ESCP Europe)
9. Follow-up: Debriefing and Follow-ups

VI – ASSESSMENT METHODS

The course is graded as follows:

• Project team work including management of interdisciplinary collaboration (50 %)
• Individual participation, involvement and co-creation (25 %)
• Individual reflection paper (25 %)

The course is considered validated if the overall average grade is above 10/20 and if none of the module grades are inferior or equal to 7/20.

• Brown, T., & Katz, B. (2011). Change by Design. Journal of Product Innovation Management, 28(3), 381–383.
• Grichnik, D., Brettel, M., Koropp, C. & Mauer, R. (2010). Entrepreneurship: Unternehmerisches Denken, Entscheiden und Handeln in innovativen und technologieorientierten Unternehmungen. Schäffer-Poeschel Verlag.
• Hoffmann, C., Lennerts, S., Schmitz, C., Stölzle, W., & Uebernickel, F. (ed.). (2016). Business Innovation: das St. Galler Modell. Springer Gabler.
• Osterwalder, A., & Pigneur, Y. (2010). Business model generation: a handbook for visionaries, game changers, and challengers. John Wiley & Sons.
• Osterwalder, A., Pigneur, Y., Bernarda, G., & Smith, A. (2014). Value proposition design. Strategyzer series. John Wiley & Sons.
• Plattner, H., Meinel, C., & Leifer, L. (ed.). (2012). Design Thinking Research. Springer Berlin.
• Ries, E. (2011). The lean startup: How today’s entrepreneurs use continuous innovation to create radically successful businesses. Random House LLC.
• Schmiedgen, J., Köppen, E., & Meinel, C. (2015). Parts Without a Whole? Technische Berichte des Hasso-Plattner-Instituts für Softwaresystemtechnik an der Universität Potsdam, 97.