Background
“Startup Essentials” is an advanced course that explores the foundational elements of startups through a scientific lens, challenging traditional entrepreneurial practices. This course provides a structured understanding of what drives startup traction and sustainability by dissecting the components of startup creation and growth. It is grounded in evidence-based frameworks and real-world applications, focusing on three core domains of entrepreneurship:
- The Venture Idea: Examines the complexities of startup ideas, which require both strategic and philosophical exploration to address challenges faced by founders.
- The Entrepreneurial Method: Introduces emerging approaches that provide a scientific framework for effective entrepreneurial action by aggregating essential knowledge, skills, and competencies.
- The Startup Ecosystem: Analyzes how external factors, including community networks and funding opportunities, shape the startup environment, using the Stockholm startup scene as a “laboratory” for exploring these dynamics.
Participants will engage with these domains through interactive workshops, case studies, and reflective practices, fostering a comprehensive understanding of successful entrepreneurship.
WHO IS IT FOR?
This course is designed for students eager to learn how to apply scientific principles to entrepreneurship and connect with like-minded individuals. It is ideal for prospective and early-stage founders from any industry, field, or academic background who want to explore innovative approaches to building their ventures.
what makes the course unique?
This course offers a unique complementary perspective to both the traditional step-by-step guide to launching a startup or the personalized advice typically found in incubators and accelerators.
It’s tailored for those looking to deepen their understanding of entrepreneurship through a scientific lens and gain skills applicable across various startup contexts. ‘Startup Essentials’ is an immersive experience that requires significant time, effort, and active participation, making it perfect for those ready to engage in a rigorous and enriching learning journey.
INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMEs
Upon completing the course, students will be able to:
- Describe and explain the foundational elements of startups, including the ideation process, methodologies for entrepreneurial action, and the role of the startup ecosystem as an external environment.
- Differentiate between practice-based and scientific approaches to startups and critically assess their respective challenges and opportunities.
- Apply research-based frameworks to analyze real-world startup cases, identifying factors contributing to success or failure.
- Evaluate strategies and practices used by founders to overcome challenges, such as uncertainty management, resource attraction, and network building within the startup ecosystem.
PEDAGOGICAL SETTING AND LEARNING APPROACH
Offered by the Stockholm School of Entrepreneurship (SSES), this course emphasizes active participation and collective experience. The pedagogical approach combines in-class workshops, seminars, and lectures with self-paced studies. It promotes continuous exploration and application of entrepreneurial concepts based on scientific research.
The course also aims to create a unique learning environment, inviting students from diverse backgrounds and scholarly domains. This setting provides a learning experience distinct from many other courses and programs.
COURSE STRUCTURE AND ACTIVITIES
The course employs a mix of in-class and out-of-class activities to provide a comprehensive understanding of startup principles:
- In-Class, Group Activities: Workshops on topics such as Ideation, Ethical Foundations in Entrepreneurship, and Startup Ecosystem Networking, often in collaboration with local actors from the Stockholm startup ecosystem.
- Out-of-Class, Individual Activities: Self-paced studies and personal reflection exercises to deepen understanding of core concepts and apply scientific concepts to real-world scenarios.
- Out-of-Class, Group Activities: Digital meetings and on-site study visits to explore the complexities of entrepreneurship and emphasize practical application of course theories.
- In-Class, Individual Activities: Optional co-teaching opportunities for students after the course, allowing further engagement with the content and development of teaching skills.
ASSESSMENT AND EVALUATION
The examination consists of both individual (50%) and group (50%) assessments.
– The individual examination includes five written individual assignments. Participation in all in-class activities is required for a passing grade.
– The group examination is conducted as a real-world startup case study. The student group will carry out, present, and discuss the case.
A passing grade on both the individual and group examinations is necessary to pass the course.
INCLUSIVITY AND DIVERSITY
“Startup Essentials” values inclusivity and diversity, aiming to accommodate various learning styles and professional experiences. The course fosters an open and supportive learning environment, encouraging diverse perspectives to enhance the collective learning experience.
Explore more SSES courses connected to entrepreneurial development and innovation:
Business Model Innovation, Design Thinking, Ideation – Creating a Business Idea, Growth – Managing Your Firm.
See the complete overview in the SSES course calendar.
Read related research on entrepreneurial learning in “Rethinking Who Fits the Mould in Entrepreneurship Education”.
