Sustainable Entrepreneurship (MSB415)
This course dives into the essential factors that fuel success in new entrepreneurial ventures, with a special emphasis on sustainable entrepreneurship—a must in high-cost economies where businesses are expected to generate economic, social, and environmental value. We'll guide you in shaping a compelling business idea and encourage you to elevate it by participating in both national and international business plan competitions available in Norway and globally.
You'll learn the ins and outs of starting a business: from generating and evaluating ideas, assessing industry systems and potential markets, to identifying your value proposition and potential risks, and crafting a viable business model. Throughout the course, you'll have the chance to connect with our student incubator and enter business competitions.
Participants will engage in the Booster program, which this course runs in collaboration with Lysepæren, a student incubator at UiS. The course includes seven in-person meetings, starting with a kick-off and followed by five intensive sessions held in the evenings (4-7 pm), and culminates in a pitch of your business idea to a panel of experts and real entrepreneurs.
In this dynamic environment, you'll interact with real entrepreneurs, experts from local accelerators and incubators, and financial experts from the region. You have the freedom to work on your own idea or join a start-up to assist in developing a valid business model. This personal and practical approach will not only build your skills but also expand your professional network.
NB! This is an elective course and may be cancelled if fewer than 10 students are enrolled by August 20th for the autumn semester.
Course description for study year 2024-2025
Course code
MSB415
Version
1
Credits (ECTS)
10
Semester tution start
Autumn
Number of semesters
1
Exam semester
Autumn
Language of instruction
English
Content
In this course, you will have access to an online platform featuring 10 comprehensive modules. You can watch videos, listen to podcasts, or read at your own pace. During in-class sessions, we engage in games, activities, and exercises designed to help you work on your own business idea.
Being an entrepreneur requires a different skill set than being a manager. Entrepreneurs often need a combination of diverse skills, and to support this, we will provide you with various tools and methods. These include idea generation tools, pitching techniques, value proposition identification, SWOT analysis, negotiation skills, the business model canvas, blue ocean strategy, and effectuation principles.
We encourage students to work in teams, as the entrepreneurial journey is often more challenging when undertaken alone. In the first kick-off meeting, you will meet other students eager to learn entrepreneurial skills, likely from different faculties and backgrounds. Multidisciplinary teams have higher chances of success, and through this course, you will also enhance your communication and negotiation skills. However, you also have the option to pursue your entrepreneurial journey individually.
Course contents
- Who are entrepreneurs and what is entrepreneurship
- Idea generation and evaluation
- Pitch technology
- Value proposition
- Building a business model
- Market positioning
- Strategic alliances and negotiations
- Blue ocean strategy
- Regional infrastructure for entrepreneurship and sources of funding
- Risk assessment and financial calculations
- Exit strategies
Learning outcome
Knowledge
- You will gain a theoretical and practical understanding of establishing a new business and developing a proper business model.
- You will learn to articulate value proposition, describe your core competences, screen and evaluate market opportunities, develop a business model, calculate your break event point and define your exit strategy.
- Moreover, you will learn how to pitch your business idea for different audiences.
Skills
After this course you will be able to
- understand main elements of commercialization process
- investigate the market potential for new ideas
-identify core resources need for idea implementation
- exploit external networks and partnerships
- be able to summarize obtained knowledge in a business plan/business model
Required prerequisite knowledge
Exam
| Form of assessment | Weight | Duration | Marks | Aid |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Written business plan | 1/1 | Letter grades |
Coursework requirements
There will be 7 gatherings (4-8 pm), including kick-off and pitch. Each team can also request 2 mentoring sessions. It is mandatory to participate on 6 gatherings (70% of all meetings including mentoring sessions), and on the pitch session.
Submission of preliminary draft description of the business concept is encouraged.
Course teacher(s)
Course coordinator:
Tatiana Aleksandrovna IakovlevaCourse teacher:
John Robert BessantCourse teacher:
Tatiana Aleksandrovna IakovlevaStudy Program Director:
Ingeborg Foldøy SolliMethod of work
Our digital platform is at your disposal, offering access to videos, podcasts, and embedded book chapters. In class, you can expect an expert lecture, followed by activities tailored to your own business idea. Each session is designed to advance the development of your business concept. Between sessions, participants are expected to work independently or in small groups (maximum of three people) to further develop their ideas. Additionally, teaching assistants and lecturers are available for consultations outside of the Booster sessions.
Expected workload: 250-300 hours
Booster meetings: 24 hours
Mentoring outside Booster: 5 hours
Digital lectures: 100 hours
Self-study: 150 hours
Overlapping courses
| Course | Reduction (SP) |
|---|---|
| Knowledge-based Entrepreneurship (MØA415_1) | 10 |
| Sustainable entrepreneurship - From sustainability-oriented idea to solution (ECS120_1) | 5 |
