This course provides a disciplined step-by-step approach to assessing the business potential of research projects and transforming them into a product. Scientists and engineers equipped with an entrepreneurial mindset can see the bigger picture, faster recognize opportunities, and create value for society. This course will tackle the misconceptions about what entrepreneurship is and what is required to become an entrepreneur/sciencepreneur and will give you the tools and knowledge necessary to gather market insights, understand your customer and non-customer, create value and visualize your growth opportunities. The course is designed for Phd students and is divided into 5 modules:
Module 1 - Introduction to Entrepreneurship
This module will tackle what to expect when transforming research into a product and spinning off and, as well, will offer insights into the TU Wien Innovation Ecosystem and the support you can receive for this purpose.
Module 2 - Building the A Team
What do you have to consider when building your team? From founder alignment to equity split and analyzing the skills you are missing and need to onboard, this module will offer you insights into the biggest challenges teams face at this early stage and equip you with the skills needed to overcome them.
Module 3 - From Innovation to a Business Case
The roadmap to building a business concept around your technology starts with understanding who your potential customers are and making a market analysis. The module will also offer you insights into various business model archetypes and offer you the toolset needed to create your first business model and go-to-market strategy.
Module 4 - Defining your Minimum Viable Product
This module will cover the customer development stage and financial planning. You will learn approaches for understanding the key features your product should have and build your first financial plan.
Module 5 - Presenting your Technolgy to Non-Experts
Now that you have a good understanding of your customer, market, MVP, and go-to-market strategy, it is time to articulate clearly your business concept.
The course is a mixture of fully engaged lectures, study cases, practical exercises and guest talks that builds on multidisciplinarity, collaboration, and individual and group identity.
