The course Entrepreneurial Practice (Special Edition: Startup Launchpad - Navigating Problem-Solution Alignment in Startup Creation) offers you the possibility to gain theoretical and practical insights into the topic of entrepreneurial practices (e.g. opportunity recognition, problem-solution fit, hypothesis testing) by deepening and applying theoretical concepts. In this course, you will develop your own problem statement and identifying relevant solutions, potentially leading to a startup idea. By conducting interviews with startups, users and other organizations, 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 a problem statement leading to a business idea and share your insights on entrepreneurial practices with your course members and lecturers.

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

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.

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.

- theoretical input session including practical examples

- gain practical start-up experience by working in groups on a dedicated problem and solution

- gain the possibility to network with start-ups and the Austrian startup ecosystem

- 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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