The course Entrepreneurial Practice offers you the possibility to gain theoretical and practical insights into the topic of entrepreneurial practices (e.g. opportunity recognition, problem-solution fit, funding, hypothesis testing) by deepening and applying theoretical concepts. In this course, you will work closely together with an organization from the Austrian start-up scene. By conducting interviews with the founding team and working on one assignment from the organization (e.g. market analysis, competitor analysis, identification of customer needs), you will get the opportunity to make use of your theoretical and methodological knowledge and to reflect theoretically on entrepreneurial practices. Based on the conducted research, you will develop strategic recommendations for the organization and share your insights on entrepreneurial practices with your course members and lecturers. Please note, that the course includes four company visits.

In the E&I Entrepreneurial Practice course, students learn and practice:

- Working with qualitative research methods to identify and understand entrepreneurial practices

- Understanding how entrepreneurs recognize opportunities

- Understanding how opportunities are turned into successful business models

- Understanding how external dynamics shape entrepreneurial success

- Understanding how frameworks can be used for internal and external company analysis

- Deriving strategic recommendations based on own analysis.

The course targets students with a sound understanding of the basics of entrepreneurship & innovation management who enjoy learning and applying theoretical frameworks and qualitative research methods as well as gaining practical start-up experience. The majority of the course will revolve around applying the material covered during the kickoff to a real organization in Vienna. Please note, that most course sessions will take place at the company site in Vienna.  

After successfully completing the E&I Entrepreneurial Practice course, students will have...

...gained insights on how entrepreneurs spot market opportunities for new businesses, and how to exploit such opportunities

...learned how to conduct interviews

...learned how to to test hypotheses in an entrepreneurial environment

...developed strategic recommendations based on their analyses

...improved presentation skills

Students must attend at least 80% of all classes and events to successfully complete the course.

The lecture consists of:

• 1 Kickoff day at the start (theory & meet the company)
• 1 Presentation skills workshop
• 2 Company site visits for gaining insights into the company's founding process by conducting interviews
• 1 Check-in (presentation of findings, coaching, get-together)
• 2 Company site visits for working on the company assignment (e.g. target group analysis, market analysis)
• 1 Presentation of findings

- theoretical input session including practical examples

- gain practical start-up experience and do qualitative research at the company site in Vienna

- gain the possibiltiy to network with start-ups

- receive mentoring from the instructors

- summarize results in presentations

Grades will be based on the following assignments:

•       Participation: 20% (individual  grade)
•       Reflection paper: 10% (individual grade)
•       Presentation : 70% (group grade)

The following students may register for the course:

• Students enrolled in the Entrepreneurship and Innovation specialization program

Please note that course registration is binding. The moment your registration is received, it is regarded as a clear commitment on your part. Students cannot drop the course or transfer to another course (once the add/drop period is over) with no exceptions, as it would be unfair to other students (who might not have gotten into the course of their choice because of the spot you registered for). The number of students accepted to the course will only be expanded if there is no space in any other course 3.

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