The intent of this course is to provide the frameworks, functions and workings of new ventures based on innovation and creativity. The course will especially focus on the sharing / gig economy and platform based business models.

“Every great business starts with a small entrepreneurial idea.” Peter Drucker

Peter Drucker, the economist who developed management into a science explicitly distinguished “small business owners” and “entrepreneurs”. Entrepreneurship means more than just imitative start-up or self-employment. It starts with innovation – the new idea that is powerful enough to start a successful business. Drucker also names a key prerequisite for a successful entrepreneurial venture: simplicity. In his understanding simplicity is the ultimate perfection.

The course will provide a lab-environment for planning and setting up your own business. We focus in a very practical workshop way on all aspects of starting a business: selecting promising ideas, initiating new ventures, and obtaining initial financing.

Students will work in a practical hands-on approach. We concentrate on how ventures are begun, how venture ideas and other key ingredients for start-ups are evaluated and derived, and how one promotes new venture proposals. We will work on a business plan project and the related presentations to different stakeholders.

The course aims at enabling students to develop their own business ideas, support these with appropriate business models and develop a compelling business plan. It focuses especially on creating innovative concepts and value propositions.

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