Opinto-opas

Objective

At the end of this course students should be able to refine one Idea, build a MVP simulation and have customer conversations. It will be helpful as a course prerequisite for the students to have an idea for a start-up based on his/her area of expertise.

Content

Ideation: Sources for Ideas in the Information Communication space. Most ideas comes from a personal exposure to a problem (Such as missing an Interview due to a Incorrect Bus schedule) or by actual work experience in a particular space and identifying a Problem statement witnessed while working (Example: Inefficient Finance Department due to over reliance on paper bills)

Refining and validating the Idea. In this module, we will offer a framework of validating the Idea. We will have two short case studies, both cases will be theoretical examples amplifying the idea such that the student can strictly use the framework to validate and refine the Idea.

Customer Conversations to build on the Idea and Pivot if needed.

Building a Lean Start-up and the first Minimum Viable Product. The first Product/Solution in any start-up is very tricky. It is not just about building the product, making it work, finding a customer; but actually proving the business model and that customers will actually pay for the product and keep using them.

Customer adoption conversations around the MVP. In many cases early customers are likely to be friends and acquaintances and their adoption of a product may not be adequate proof that the product/ solution actually works and is validated. Actual customer usage (Not just buying ) is a more accurate proof point and in this module we will focus on observing customer usage and learning from it.

Next Steps post MVP to build and Sell a real product

Other Practical considerations in Entrepreneurship. Besides having a great idea, building a product that actually works and having some customers there are several aspects such as : Motivation, Building a Team, When to Scale up, When to shut down, When to seek funding, Making Business Pitches that actually work and building the Operational excellence for the continued journey. In this module we will focus on these practical considerations.

Location and time

09.08.2021 - 13.08.2021 (morning 09:00-13:00)

Materials

3-5 case studies shared to the classroom in advance

Teaching methods

Classroom teaching around concepts
There will be 3-5 short case studies which will describe a fictional / actual situation. I will share these cases prior to the course. Students will go through the case studies and there will be discussions around the case

Building a simulation of a fictional start-up and presenting it to the class.

International connections

Course teacher is Prof. Dr. Siva Ramamoorthy from Ephicacy Lifesciences Analytics, India.
- Honorary Associate, Univ of Sydney Business School and Mentor for their Genesis Program
- Mentor, Stanford Ignite
- Nominating Committee Member, Asian Entep Award Japan
- Worked on building and taking to market two successful Start-ups.
- MS, Computer Science University of Kentucky, MBA Kellogg School of Management@Northwestern Univ

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1)

The student knows the principles of High Tech Start and Entrepreneurship. The student recognizes his/her own relevant competences. The student use Teamwork and communication skills in cooperative development processes and decision making.

Assessment criteria, approved/failed

The student knows the principles of High Tech Start and Entrepreneurship. The student recognizes his/her own relevant competences. The student use Teamwork and communication skills in cooperative development processes and decision making.

Qualifications

Students are requested to bring an idea that they are passionate about for possible exploration to build as a start-up.

Basic reading on the start-up culture/ YouTube videos are highly encouraged. A few YouTube videos’ / Open source content will be shared ahead of time for the class to view.