Launch Pad (5 cr)

Evaluation scale

Pass/Fail

Objective

Upon completion of this special project study module the students participating to a 8-week entrepreneurial program (in the role of assistant coach) is able to understand the main challenges facing a young technology-based start-up company. In collaboration with start-up companies/entrepreneurial teams the students learn to find alternative solutions for business development of a new venture. The areas cover of strategic planning, IP and technology strategy, value network configuration, marketing and sales, manufacturing and operations, staffing and financial planning. Student also will be able to design and perform an effective business presentation for a real-life star-up business.

Content

• Strategic Planning: 1-5 year Strategic Action Plan with exit strategy plan
• Technology, Intellectual Property and Product Planning
• Marketing and Sales planning for High-Tech markets
• Competitive strategies, Planning and Execution Alliance and Partnership relations
• Operational, management structure & practices and manufacturing planning
• Financial Planning: 1-5 year pro forma financial planning, role of Venture Capital + other sources of external financing
• Presentation skills (elevator speeches, 15 minute business presentation planning and execution)

Materials

SET (Supercoach ® Entrepreneurial Training) LaunchPadpackage of materials – the workbook -will be distributed to students. Additionally, the course will cover several sections of these recommended books: Engineering your start-up : a guide for the high-tech entrepreneur, James A. Swanson, Michael L. Baird, Professional Publications, Second Edition, 2003.How to license your million dollar idea, everything you need to know to make money from your new product idea, Harvey Reese, John Wiley & Sons, 2003.Smartups: Lessons from Entrepreneur America Boot Camp for Start-Ups, Rob Ryan, Cornell, 2002.Made to stick: why some ideas survive and others die, Chip Heath and Dan Heath, Random House, 2007.The art of the start: the time-tested, battle-hardened guide for anyone starting anything, Guy Kawasaki, 2004, Penguin.

Completion alternatives

Classroom exercises, weekly exercises, presentation to the final investor panel

Student workload

45 hrs of contact lectures + final presentation day, 20 hrs of coaching sessions for individual business cases, 70 hours of independent study and groupwork

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1)

The students will be assessed based on the capability they show in understanding the key concepts and tools covered by the course, and on their participation and commitment to the course activities

Qualifications

Successfully passed 1st and 2nd year Business studies.

Further information

The course is targeted to provide the students capabilities of understanding the challenges in founding, growing and developing a high technology/knowledge-based Startup company.While working in the role of assistant coaches, the students get a realistic view of the mindset and practical challenges faced by the startup companies and teams with business idea. The study contents – intensive contact lecture week + weekly coaching sessions and the final presentation in front of investor panel – provide the students the tools to work on the solutions to the important issue areas needing for solution to succeed in technology-based business