in collaboration with ESCP Business School

 

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
• work in project teams
• participation in InnoBridge events (InnoMatch, InnoDrive, DemoDay)
• for Information Systems students: research methodology in digital entrepreneurship

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 - COURSE STRUCTURE

Expected course of events

• FUB Intro Session: Monday, Oct 14, 17:00-20:00 (online) - Link will be provided 
• InnoMatch: Friday, Oct 18, 13:00 - 20:00 (Startup Villa, Altensteinstraße 40)
• InnoDrive 1 Weekend: Saturday, Oct 19, 9:00 - 18:00 (Startup Villa, Altensteinstraße 40)
• InnoDrive 2 on Entrepreneurial Teams: Thursday, Oct 24, 17:00 - 20:00 (Startup Villa, Altensteinstraße 40)
• InnoDrive 2 Online Check-in: Are Teams Working?: Thursday, Oct 31, 17:00 - 20:00 (online)
• InnoDrive 3: Thursday, Nov 7, 17:00 - 20:00 (ESCP campus, LH5)
• Mentorship: Monday, Nov 11 - Friday, Nov 15 (Startup Villa, Altensteinstraße 40)
• InnoDrive 4: Thursday, Nov 21, 17:00 - 20:00 (ESCP campus, LH5)
• Delta Day: Thursday, Nov 28, 17:00 - 20:00 (ESCP campus, LH5)
• Debrief (online): Friday, Nov 29, 9:00 - 12:00 (online)

AI Venturing Add-On (Only for MSc in Information Systems):
Wed 4.12., 16:00 - 17:30 Idea marketplace (online or location to be announced - date might change)
Wed 20.01., 16:00 - 17:30 Final check-in (online)

VI - ASSESSMENT METHODS

The course at FU Berlin is graded as follows:

• Project team work including management of interdisciplinary collaboration (75 %)
• Individual reflection (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.

Exchange Students:

We always welcome exchange students, provided there are enough seats available in the course. As we cannot guarantee availability in advance, we recommend that exchange students attend the first session, as we then have a better estimate of possible open seats.