SDG235 Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Sustainability

Contents and structure

The aim of the subject is to provide students with an understanding of the challenges involved when trying to commercialize a new product or service idea. Intra- and entrepreneurial competence encompasses analysing and evaluating if the new idea is a good idea, if customers will buy it, if the market will respond and if difficulties entering markets can be overcome, if profit can be gained and the risks handled by appropriate countermeasures. Through writing a "business plan" based on an start-up idea, the learning process contains both a practical and theoretical approach. A main objective is that the course will serve as an inspiration for further studies in innovation on master level. The course will encourage students to become more innovative both in future work and/or as an entrepreneur.

The course content departs from applying Business Model Canvas (BMC), both versions as presented by Ash Maurya and Alexander Osterwalder.

The course is a part of The Norwegian West Coast SDG Educational Initiative at The Faculty of Business Administration and Social Sciences:  Sustainable Economics, Management and Innovations (SEMI).

Learning Outcome

Through analysis and reflections on commercialization challenges students will be able to apply and discuss relevance of theoretical models and approaches in a learning process based on new business idea.

Knowledge based learning outcome

• Students will have acquired knowledge of main content and how to apply the BMC in an own chose project: an own idea or based on an existing start-up.
• Students will be able to conduct different kinds of analysis and reflect upon them: value proposition, customer-need analysis, marked analysis, profitability analysis and risk analysis. In addition, they will be able to discuss externally important trends and opportunities.
• Students will be able to valuate different kinds of funding and financing of entrepreneurial ventures.
• Students will be able to distinguish main characteristics in a written business plan compared to other written documents and reports.
• As a final part students present an accomplishment plan and reflect upon possible future Developments.

Skill based learning outcome

• Students will have acquired ability to assess main parts in a BMC
• Students will have acquired skills inn applying analysis schemata, conduct analysis and evaluate results
• Students will get experiences when being members of project groups/teams
• Students will be able to give oral presentation in a convincing and more creative manner

General competences

• Being able to valuate business ideas aimed at improving existing companies and/or starting a new company (intra- and entrepreneurship).

Entry requirements

None

Teaching methods

Students work in project groups writing their "business plan".

Every main topic departs from an introductory teachers presentation. Other means applied are videos, games, role-play and open discussions. Completing their final "business plans", students hand-in successional written drafts and receive continuous feedback by fellow students and by teacher. Students get both oral and written feedback all throughout the course.

Compulsory learning activities

Three written hand-ins. 

Assessment

Written semester paper (group-based),"business plan". Presentation at the oral examination.

Two sensors assess the final "business plan", one external, before an adjusting oral examination.

Time and place for oral examination announced through Canvas.

Grading scale is A-F where F is fail.

Examination support material

None

More about examination support material