363-1038-00L  Sustainability Start-Up Seminar

SemesterSpring Semester 2022
LecturersA. H. Sägesser
Periodicityyearly recurring course
Language of instructionEnglish
CommentNumber of participants limited to 30.



Courses

NumberTitleHoursLecturers
363-1038-00 GSustainability Start-Up Seminar
Irregular lecture

The last course day takes place at Student Project House (12.05.2022).
2 hrs
03.03.14:15-18:00WEV H 326 »
17.03.14:15-18:00WEV H 326 »
24.03.14:15-18:00WEV H 326 »
07.04.14:15-18:00WEV H 326 »
28.04.14:15-18:00WEV H 326 »
12.05.14:00-18:00Ex te rn »
A. H. Sägesser

Catalogue data

AbstractParticipants are lead through a venturing process inspired by Lean and Design Thinking and social innovation methodologies. The course contains problem identification, idea generation and evaluation, team formation, and the development of one entrepreneurial idea per team. Starting points for entrepreneurial ideas are the climate crisis and biodiversity loss.
Learning objective1. Students have experienced and know how to take the first steps towards co-creating a venture and potentially company
2. Students reflect deeply on sustainability issues (with a focus on climate change & biodiversity) and can formulate a problem statement
3. Students believe in their ability to bring change to the world with their own ideas
4. Students are able to apply entrepreneurial practices such as e.g. the lean startup approach
5. Students have built a first network and know how to proceed and who to approach in case they would like to take their ventures further.
ContentThis course is aimed at people with a keen interest to address sustainability issues (with a focus on climate crisis and biodiversity loss), with a curious mindset, and potentially first ideas for entrepreneurial action!

The seminar consists of a mix of lectures, workshops, individual working sessions, teamwork, and student presentations/pitches. This class is taught by a reflective practitioner of entrepreneurial action for societal transformation. Real-world climate entrepreneurs and experts from the Swiss start-up and sustainability community will be invited to support individual sessions.

All course content is based on latest international entrepreneurship practices and contains continuous processes of self- and world making.

The seminar starts with an introduction to sustainability (with a special focus on climate change & biodiversity) and entrepreneurship. Students are asked to self-select into an area of their interest in which they will develop entrepreneurial ideas throughout the course.

The first part of the course then focuses on deeply understanding sustainability problems within the area of interest. Through workshops and self-study, students will identify key design challenges, generate ideas, as well as provide systematic and constructive feedback to their peers.

In the second part of the course, students will form teams around their generated ideas. In these teams they will develop a business model and, following the lean start-up process, conduct real-life testing, as well as pivoting of these business models.

In the final part of the course, students present their insights gained from the lean start-up process, as well as pitch their entrepreneurial ideas and business models to an expert jury. The course will conclude with a session that provides students with a network and resources to further pursue their entrepreneurial journey.
Lecture notesAll material used will be made available to the participants.
LiteratureNo pre-reading required.
Prerequisites / NoticePrerequisite:
Interest in sustainability & entrepreneurship and readiness to open up, share and reflect deeply.

Notes:
1. It is not required that participants already have an idea for entrepreneurial action at the beginning of the course.
2. Focus is on entrepreneurial action which can take many forms. Eg. startup, SME, campaign, intrapreneurial action, non-profit, ...
2. No legal entities (e.g. GmbH, Association, AG) need to be founded for this course.

Target participants:
PhD students, Msc students and MAS students from all departments. The number of participants is limited to max.24.

Waiting list:
After subscribing you will be added to the waiting list.
The lecturer will contact you a few weeks before the start of the seminar to confirm your interest and to ensure a good mixture of study backgrounds, only then you're accepted to the course.
CompetenciesCompetencies
Subject-specific CompetenciesConcepts and Theoriesfostered
Techniques and Technologiesfostered
Method-specific CompetenciesAnalytical Competenciesassessed
Decision-makingassessed
Media and Digital Technologiesfostered
Problem-solvingassessed
Project Managementfostered
Social CompetenciesCommunicationassessed
Cooperation and Teamworkassessed
Customer Orientationassessed
Leadership and Responsibilityfostered
Self-presentation and Social Influence fostered
Sensitivity to Diversityfostered
Negotiationfostered
Personal CompetenciesAdaptability and Flexibilityassessed
Creative Thinkingassessed
Critical Thinkingassessed
Integrity and Work Ethicsfostered
Self-awareness and Self-reflection fostered
Self-direction and Self-management fostered

Performance assessment

Performance assessment information (valid until the course unit is held again)
Performance assessment as a semester course
ECTS credits3 credits
ExaminersA. H. Sägesser
Typegraded semester performance
Language of examinationEnglish
RepetitionRepetition only possible after re-enrolling for the course unit.
Additional information on mode of examinationGrading:
o Part 1 Essays (Individual): 10% of final grade
o Part 2 Peer-Evaluation Essays (Individual): 40% of final grade
o Part 3 Final Presentation (Team): 50% of final grade

Learning materials

No public learning materials available.
Only public learning materials are listed.

Groups

No information on groups available.

Restrictions

PlacesLimited number of places. Special selection procedure.
Waiting listuntil 24.02.2022
End of registration periodRegistration only possible until 30.01.2022

Offered in

ProgrammeSectionType
Computer Science BachelorMinor CoursesWInformation
Integrated Building Systems MasterSpecialised CoursesWInformation
Management, Technology and Economics MasterTechnology and InnovationWInformation
Mechanical Engineering BachelorManagement, Technology and EconomicsWInformation
Environmental Sciences BachelorModule EconomicsWInformation