Course Modules

7 Core Courses

The core modules are carefully set according to the programme objective and the talent training need. They form the pillars of the technopreneurship and innovation knowledge system. They not only reflect the unique features and the standard of this programme, but also set specific requirements on the basic quality and competence upon the students.

1. Introduction to Entrepreneurship
Introduces entrepreneurship and innovation concepts, and the entrepreneurial approach to new venture creation. Students learn to develop and apply entrepreneurial thinking systematically, with an emphasis on conceptualisation, planning, and starting of a business.

2. Entrepreneurial Marketing and Business Development
Introduces the marketing framework and business development strategies, supplemented with specific methodologies and tools to apply in real-life entrepreneurship scenarios.

Illustrates entrepreneurial financing from both the perspective of an entrepreneur looking to build his venture and the perspective of a venture capitalist looking to invest in promising startups.

4. Managing Growing Ventures
Introduces the framework of entrepreneurial management and strategies for startups seeking venture growth. Related topics of leadership, operations, human resources, supply chain, legal and regulatory issues are discussed in a ‘hands-on’ format.

5. Technopreneurial Mindset
Presents a series of distinguished technology expert talks and facilitated reviews to walk the students through the specialised fields relating to technopreneurship and innovation, enabling students to develop a technopreneurship mindset.

6. Design and System Thinking
Discusses the roles that innovation and design play in entrepreneurship, including design thinking and the applications. System thinking knowledge and skills further enable students to develop a holistic way of managing and growing ventures.

7. Technopreneurship Challenge
This capstone course offers a unique case challenge that addresses real-life technopreneurship and/or innovation issues. Students form teams of different expertise to identify real-life problems and propose viable solutions.

3 Electives

On top of the 7 core modules, this programme offers 7 electives which focus on three areas: Entrepreneurship Practice, New Venture Financing, and Sustainability for students to develop knowledge and skills for different roles in the entrepreneurship ecosystem. Each student is required to take 3 out of 7 electives based on his/her interest.

Entrepreneurship Practice

1. Entrepreneurial Decision Making
Students learn decision-making knowledge and skills related to starting and building companies, developing business strategies, obtaining equity investments, and executing strategies. Four key areas are covered, including cognitive, personal, organisational and practical decision-making tools.

2. Technology Commercialisation
Provides a platform to examine technology trends and key issues in commercialising inventions and innovations, with an emphasis on successful transfer of technologies from a research environment to commercialise into successful products or services.

3. Venture Internship
Provides valuable opportunities for participants to practice entrepreneurial mindset and skills in a dynamic business environment, grow network, and gain insights to faciliate entrepreneurial decision making or career choices in the future.

New Venture Financing

4. Venture Capital Investment
Introduces a systematic framework and related techniques pertaining to venture capital investment as a profession. Participants learn to develop an advanced level of skills on venture valuation and investment decision making.

5. Venture Capital Practice
Examines a substantial number of real-life venture capital and private equity investment cases at advanced level, covering investment cycles, from fund raising, deal screening, negotiations, fund management, to performance reporting.

Sustainability

6. Innovation and Entrepreneurship Policy
Reviews theories and empirical research on the relation between entrepreneurship, innovation and economic growth, from both historical and international perspectives.

7. Ecosystem Development
Discusses various elements that foster successful ecosystems – universities, accelerators, incubators, venture capital, banks, labor laws, intellectual property rights, etc., and the winning strategies.

Course Schedule