Entrepreneurship and New Venture Creation

OVERVIEW:

The purpose of this course is to explore business creation and growth as a multidimensional phenomenon in both independent and corporate (intrapreneurship) settings. By linking theory and practice the course aims to provide students an entrepreneurial perspective and a hands-on experience in the development of new business ventures.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

     - Build the skills, framework and knowledge in entrepreneurship and new venture creation in order to acquire the knowledge and spirit for venturing;

     - Set the context for entrepreneurship and understand the role and importance of the small to medium sized enterprises in the economic and social development of countries and regions;

     - Gain knowledge on the characteristics of entrepreneurs and the entrepreneurial process;

     - Understand the importance of the planning process and learn how to develop, write and present an effective business plan for a new venture.

REQUIREMENTS:

All classes are taught in English, so one fundamental requirement is the control of the English Language.

CONTENTS:

The focus of the course is the development of a plan for a new venture. To this end, during the first week, the class will divide into teams of up to 3 persons. Each team member should provide the group with at least one idea for a new business. During the brainstorming session, each team will select one idea it believes would result in the most viable business. The selected idea will be the team’s New Venture Proposal for which a comprehensive Business Development Plan will be prepared and presented. Classes will be conducted in seminar format promoting student’s participation. Being the aim of the lectures to cover the subjects described in the “Course Outline” section both from a practical and theoretical perspective, the course divides into theoretical lectures and tutorials. These two formats will alternate during the week that is each theoretical lecture will be followed by tutorials. The tutorials represent practical applications of the knowledge acquired in the weekly lectures, through case-studies and/or business idea and plan development.

COURSE OUTLINE

Part 1: Decision to Become an Entrepreneur

Part 2: Developing Successful Business Ideas

Part 3: Moving from an Idea to an Entrepreneurial Firm

Part 4: Managing and Growing an Entrepreneurial Fir