Dates: 03.10.2025 & 08.10.2025 (9.00-19.00)

This E&I Zone: Explore Entrepreneurial Ecosystems focuses on:

1. Entrepreneurial Ecosystems

   • Entrepreneurial Ecosystems: What? How? Why?

   • Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Elements for Successfull Value Creation

   • Entrepreneurial Ecosystems in Action – Exploring Potentials and Pitfalls

2. Key Stakeholders of Entrepreneurial Ecosystems (Exploring Potentials and Pitfalls) + Presentation of Group Work

The course aims to impart, expand, and deepen knowledge, skills, and social competencies in the topic of entrepreneurial ecosystems:

• Stakeholder Choice & Ecosystem Setting: Identify which stakeholder and which real ecosystem (e.g. Vienna, Berlin, Bangalore, etc.)
• Stakeholder Role & Resources: Map out what resources the stakeholder has, what its strategic objectives are, constraints it faces, network connections
• Value Delivered: What specific services, benefits, or value does the stakeholder bring—e.g., facilitating innovation, funding, knowledge transfer, infrastructure, legitimacy, etc
• Relationships & Influence: Who it collaborates with or competes with; how influential it is in shaping ecosystem outcomes
• Critical Analysis: What are the challenges or trade-offs? Where might the stakeholder improve? What impact does it have on other actors?
• Presentation & Report: Final deliverable will include a group presentation (approx. 20-25 min + Q&A)

To successfully complete the course, students must attend at least 80% of all classes and events. However, due to its importance in reaching the course goals (explanation of methods, team building, etc.), 100% attendance is required for Day I (October 3rd) from 9:00-17:00. Absences during these times are only excused for a scheduled written exam at WU or sickness (with an official doctor's note).

In general, all absences in the course must be notified to the course instructors via email (if possible in advance) and confirmation (for example a medical certificate, or in case of an exam a note confirming the date of the written examination) must be submitted as soon as possible. Absences can result in additional compensation work to ensure the course's learning outcomes.

• Teaching and discussion of theoretical basics, for example:
  • Lectures
  • Field trips
  • Discussions with external experts (during the field trip)
• Application and transfer of the contents learnt, for example: 
  • Various practical exercises
  • Class room experiment and/or case studies (e.g., in order to identify and discuss best practices)
  • Discussions in groups and in plenary
• Working on tasks individually and in groups
• Presentation of the results of the group work
• Peer feedback, feedback from the lecturers, feedback from external experts
• Self-reflection

General criteria

• In-Class Participation: Active engagement in discussions and activities will be crucial.
• Practical Tasks, and Presentations: These will assess the knowledge and skills acquired during the course.

Grading system

• 37.5% Active participation (individual performance)
• 12.5% Practical tasks (individual performance)
• 25% Practical tasks (group-based performance)
• 25% Presentations (group-based performance)

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 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 2.

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