Technology Entrepreneurship in Practice

Course Objective

Technology Entrepreneurship In Practice consists of a practical hands-on approach in which Beta science students use knowledge from Theories of Technology Venture Creation to advise and help develop a (science driven) start-up venture. The four-week period can roughly be divided in four phases: understanding the business idea and start-up venture, analyzing bottlenecks for venture growth, working on partial solutions and writing an advice rapport and reflecting on experience and theory. The phases are carried out in close consultation with the start-up entrepreneur, thereby gaining insight in entrepreneurship and practical aspects of developing a science-based business.

Course Content

Technology Entrepreneurship In Practice (TEIP) is the capstone project for the minor/premaster SBI in which we examine technology venture creation from an interdisciplinary perspective combining entrepreneurship, creativity, resources, organization, networks, strategy, governance and regulation. The course runs in the third period of the first semester (January). TEIP students have learned a wealth of theories, models and approaches from the previous courses of the minor/premaster which enable them to deepen their knowledge and experience by practically analyzing, building and advising a science-based firm. The four consecutive phases center around
four topics: 1) science & technology, 2) analyzing stakeholders & market, 3) developing a value proposition, 4) business strategy & organization. To analyze and advice a real-life start-up, students will take the role of intrapreneur and consultant. In teams we will draw on topics such as entrepreneurship, resource orchestration, organization and network theories. The analysis focuses on the current status of the start-up venture and the advice aims to highlight development steps for the upcoming months. The general goal is to bring the start-ups a step closer to the market. Teams are required to engage with (academic) entrepreneurs and therefore they learn and develop communication skills. Next to contact with the start-up and entrepreneur, TEIP has a close collaboration with IXA (Innovation Exchange Amsterdam), DLAB (Demonstrator Lab), AVS (Amsterdam Venture Studios). Candidate start ups come from VU research and VU startups ecosystem. These start-ups are for example grounded in physics, chemistry, computer science or human movement sciences. Students choose their own start-up venture which they will advice.

Teaching Methods

Mix of lectures, assignments, work groups, progress meetings and final presentation.

Method of Assessment

An advice report, a reflection report and a poster presentation.

Entry Requirements

TEIP is the capstone project for the SBI minor/premaster and consists of series of courses programmed to interconnect different scientific disciplines and practice. We distinguish between mandatory and recommended courses.
Mandatory: Theories of technology venture creation (6EC – period 2)
Recommended: Strategic management of technology innovation (6EC – period 1); Governance and regulation of emerging technologies (6EC – period 1); Enterprising behavior (6EC – period 2).

Recommended background knowledge

Mandatory: Theories of technology venture creation (6EC – period 2)
Recommended: Strategic management of technology innovation (6EC – period 1); Governance and regulation of emerging technologies (6EC – period 1); Enterprising behavior (6EC – period 2).