Lecture: Entrepreneurial Idea Development

Course Description

Content

This course introduces students to the fundamentals of entrepreneurial idea development, from identifying meaningful problems to designing early-stage business concepts. We explore where ideas come from, how to validate them, and how to turn them into viable opportunities through design thinking, rapid prototyping, and business modeling.

While the course is not limited to sustainability, we will use the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as a starting point to help identify high-impact, real-world challenges. Students will be encouraged to explore opportunities that are both entrepreneurially viable and socially or environmentally relevant.

 

Previous Knowledge

None

 

Objective

The participants will understand process-related concepts underlying entrepreneurial opportunity development. Specific knowledge objectives of this seminar include:

• Identify climate and sustainability problems with startup potential
• Apply design thinking and lean startup principles
• Evaluate opportunities with business and sustainability criteria, using customer discovery techniques
• Construct and iterate business models and prototypes

 

Languages of Instruction

English

 

Teaching and Learning Method

Interactive lecture.
The course is delivered through immersive, half-day sessions combining input and team-based activities. Students will apply design thinking, ideation techniques, and lean startup tools to develop and test ideas, supported by expert and peer feedback.

 

Course Criteria & Registration

For registration you have to be identified in TUMonline as a student.

 

Further Information - Recommended Readings

• Doerr, J. (2021) Speed &Scale: An Action Plan for Solving Our Climate Crisis Now. Penguin Press.
• Osterwalder, A., Pigneur, Y., & Clark, T. (2010). Business Model Generation: A Handbook for Visionar-ies, Game Changers, and Challengers. Wiley.
• Shepherd, D., Patzelt, H., Breugst, N. (2024) 66 Simple Rules for Entrepreneurs: A Roadmap for Im-proved Performance. Palgrave Macmillan Cham (Open access)