Seminar: Impact Entrepreneurship for Transformational Change

Course Description

Content

Is part of the course, students from various disciplines spend a semester intensively examining social, ecological and technological challenges and how these can be solved with the help of social and innovative business ideas.

Methods and knowledge on topics such as system innovation, design thinking, future thinking, regenerative and impact-oriented business models, impact management and financing are taught. The systemic perspective is of particular importance within the programme. In particular, the major social and ecological problems of our time cannot be solved in isolation as ‘wicked problems’. Solutions are therefore only possible if they are considered as phenomena embedded in systems.

Students work in teams on challenges with social, ecological or technological relevance and apply the methodological knowledge they have acquired to develop an entrepreneurial solution to the selected problem. This process is structured and supported by lecturers and external coaches.

At the end of the semester, students present the solutions they have developed in the form of impact-oriented business models. They receive feedback and have the opportunity to apply for follow-up coaching for the business ideas they have developed. The final report reflects on the process and structures its results.

The course is held in German in the summer semester and in English in the winter semester.

 

Previous Knowledge Expected

• Basic understanding of entrepreneurship and its principles, e.g. through a relevant introductory lecture, personal start-up experience, following relevant events and media reports
• Prior knowledge in the field of sustainability

• Interest in developing innovative solutions from a systemic perspective to generate social and environmental impact

   

Objective

The aim of the module is to enable students to develop practical solutions in the form of impact-oriented business models. The focus is on generating impact in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Students will be able to:

- explain the concept of impact and its implications and illustrate it using specific case studies.
- develop entrepreneurial solutions to real challenges in interdisciplinary teams.
- apply tools and methods from the fields of systems thinking, future thinking, human-centred design, impact orientation and business modelling in the context of their challenges.
- present the solutions they have developed for their challenges in a manner appropriate to the target audience using professional presentation techniques.
- classify and critically explain alternative economic models such as the economy for the common good, doughnut economics and post-growth theory approaches.

The module focuses on experience-based and problem-oriented learning and aims to promote the development of social and entrepreneurial innovations as well as to foster and develop students' skills with regard to responsible entrepreneurship. By developing solutions in interdisciplinary teams, students also improve their soft skills such as creativity, perseverance, communication skills and interdisciplinary competencies.

 

Languages of Instruction

German, English (primary)

 

Requirements

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

Note: Registration for the winter semester 2025/26 is closed. Information regarding the registration for the summer semester 2026 at: seakademie.org/en/offering/seacertificate/