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Fundamentals of Entrepreneurship

Fall Semester 2025 - 3 ECTS

Start your journey now!

The aim of the course is to provide you with a comprehensive understanding of entrepreneurship, develop your entrepreneurial mindset and competencies. Furthermore, the course is designed to inspire you to create impact and implement societal change. By fostering creativity and innovation, you will be empowered to develop your own venture ideas and be equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills. Entrepreneurial competences are crucial for future employment in the startup world but also in industry and academia.

 

Through hands-on, diverse learning experiences, this course aims to empower you to realize your potential, driving positive transformation in the world and preparing you for future challenges and opportunities.

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Students preparing a project presentation

Learning outcomes

  • Embrace an entrepreneurial mindset, demonstrating an understanding of how creativity, innovation, and risk-taking are essential for driving change and making impactful decisions in various contexts.
     

  • Navigate the initial stages of business plan creation with competence, from ideation to developing a viable concept based on modern methods. You will gain insight into market dynamics and learn to assess the feasibility, profitability, and sustainability of a business idea critically.
     

  • Exhibit foundational entrepreneurial competencies, including effective leadership and teamwork, strategic decision-making, and problem-solving skills, all tailored to meet the unique challenges of starting and managing entrepreneurial ventures.
     

  • Commit to personal and professional growth by actively developing your entrepreneurial skills, incorporating reflective practices into your learning process, and showing readiness to adapt and thrive in the dynamic landscape of entrepreneurship.

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What you will gain?

  • Comprehensive understanding of entrepreneurship: Learn essential concepts, mindset, and competencies.

  • Learn key business and life skills: whether you have a business idea or not! Enhance leadership, teamwork, decision-making, problem-solving and many more skills.

  • Inspiration to drive change: Be inspired to drive societal change and develop your own venture ideas.

  • Hands-on learning: Engage in practical experiences to prepare for future challenges. Apply theory through team projects based on real-world examples.

  • Experienced professionals or academic experts, bring their expertise to various topics covered in the course lectures.


The course underscores the importance of active participation in class discussions and teamwork. It is structured around lectures, teamwork, and the development of venture ideas, emphasizing practical relevance by applying theoretical concepts in real-world contexts. At the onset, you will form teams focused on real-world innovation or entrepreneurship examples. Throughout the course, teams will collaborate on developing new venture ideas through hands-on learning by doing.

  • Tuesday, 23rd of September | 16h30-19h30

    • Overview of different ways of entrepreneurship
    • Developing entrepreneurial thinking: risk-taking, creativity, and innovation
    • Entrepreneurship competences and self-reflection

  • Tuesday, 2nd of October | 16h30-20h30

    • Idea generation
    • Formation of interdisciplinary teams
    • Importance of team work and collaboration

  • Tuesday, 07th of October | 16h30-19h30

    • Human resources in startups: building and managing effective teams
    • Leadership and teamwork skills: fostering an environment of collaboration and innovation
    • Conflict management and team motivation
    • Emotional intelligence: Understanding and using emotional intelligence for better leadership and positive team dynamics

  • Tuesday, 14th of October | 16h30-19h30

    • Defining the value proposition
    • Understanding customer insights and market analysis

  • Tuesday, 21st of October | 16h30-19h30

    • Developing a sustainable business plan (BMC)

    • Leadership, decision-making, and problem-solving

    • Minimum Viable Product (MVP) and validation

  • Tuesday, 28th of October | 16h30-19h30

    • Marketing strategies for startups 
    • Building a brand identity

    • Leveraging AI tools in marketing 

  • Tuesday, 04th of November | 16h30-19h30

    • Pitching toolbox

    • Audience analysis

    • Body language and voice

    • Practicing and getting feedback

  • Tuesday, 11th of November | 16h30-19h30

    • Exploring avenues for securing startup funding
    • Walk-through of a business case (from start to exit)
    • Overview of fundamental financial principles for entrepreneurs

  • Tuesday, 19th of November | 16h30-19h30

    • Role model talks

    •     Guest lecture from successful entrepreneurs

    • Case studies of successful companies and lessons learned

  • Tuesday, 25th of November | 16h30-19h30

    • Strategies for sustainable business growth
    • Challenges and opportunities in internationalization
    • Learnings & best practices from an investor; what investors look out for
    • Funding opportunities

  • Tuesday, 02nd of December | 16h30-19h30

    • Presenting final business ideas and business plans
    • Peer evaluation and feedback
    • Reflecting on personal development & learning, and planning for future endeavors in entrepreneurship

Fall 2025 Schedule

Fundamentals of Entrepreneurship Fall Semester - 3 ECTS
Bachelors, Masters
  • Applications will open in April 2025, and enrollment guidelines will be available at that time. If you'd like to be notified when the application opens, please join our email list.

If you'd like to be notified when the application opens, 
please join our mailing list.

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Testimonials

The rich variety of presentations and expert feedback made the experience truly inspiring. The networking opportunities and team connections gave us a solid foundation to kickstart our entrepreneurial journey. I especially appreciated the hands-on practical insights and technical know-how—it was the perfect mix of learning, collaboration, and action!

Ivana Kocisova

 B.A., English and Media 

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Coming from a science background, the prospect of exploring the entrepreneurial and business world initially seemed daunting. However, thanks to the well-structured sessions, motivated trainers, and inspiring classmates, this has proven to be the most valuable course I've taken.

Usman Mahmood

MSc Drug Sciences

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Throughout this course, I have gained valuable insights into the process of developing a successful entrepreneurial venture. From understanding opportunities and team dynamics to applying practical knowledge in product development, market research, and financial planning, this experience has provided me with a comprehensive understanding of entrepreneurship. It has also allowed me to collaborate with a team, gaining first-hand insight into various entrepreneurial aspects and applying them to real-world challenges through team-based decision-making. I highly encourage all students, regardless of their entrepreneurial background, to join this course. It offers a unique opportunity to gain an excellent foundation in entrepreneurship.

Enea Pinchetti

MSc Molecular Biology and Cell Biology 

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The 'Foundations of Entrepreneurship' course was a truly exceptional experience that offered me an invaluable interdisciplinary perspective. Coming from a legal background, I found it particularly enriching to explore how entrepreneurial principles and innovation intersect with my field. The course gave me a deep understanding of the many facets involved in creating and sustaining a business, from ideation to execution.  For a law student like me, this course provided a rare opportunity to step outside the confines of legal theory and engage with practical, real-world challenges. It highlighted the importance of collaboration, strategic thinking, and adaptability – all of which are crucial, not only for entrepreneurship but also for understanding what it takes to pursue self-employment. I wholeheartedly recommend this course to anyone looking to broaden their horizons and gain a comprehensive understanding of the entrepreneurial journey. It equips students with the tools and confidence to turn ideas into impactful realities, regardless of their discipline or background.

Kaltrin Maliqi

Masters Student of Law

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Joining the first Fundamentals of Entrepreneurship course by the Innovation Office was an incredible learning experience. Whether you already have a business idea or not, it’s the perfect place to explore entrepreneurship, connect with likeminded students, and get inspired by experienced founders and coaches. I especially appreciated the hands-on approach — working in small teams on our own ideas and being encouraged to talk to real customers early on really pushed us out of our comfort zone. It was the most impactful entrepreneurship course I took during my studies and gave me the confidence to start building something of my own.

Julian Kempf

MSc Business and Technology

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Taking the Fundamentals of Entrepreneurship course was a great experience that significantly enriched my studies at the University of Basel. This course provides hands-on exposure to the entrepreneurial world, equipping you with practical skills, real-world insights, and the confidence to turn ideas into action. Working in a team of students from various departments, you’ll develop a startup idea while receiving weekly coaching from experts — an invaluable opportunity to refine your ideas and expand your network within the Swiss startup ecosystem. Whether you plan to start your own venture or simply want to build an entrepreneurial mindset, this course is definitely a must!

Emil Kitzing

MSc Business and Technology

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Trainers

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Patrycja Pielaszek 

Trainer, Facilitator & Entrepreneur, Innovation Catalyst & Lecturer, University of Zurich

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Alberto Ribeiro Silveira

Founder, Rebel Forward LLC

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Mauricio Campos Suarez

Eng. & MBA, Founder, Coach & Consultant

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Marta V. Gehring

Senior Account Director, RHA Communications & Senior Fellow, EPFL Innovation Park

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Arthur Krause

Life Science Consultant & Educator

Oskari Vinko

Entrepreneur, Scientist & Coach

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Isabelle Siegrist

Founder & CEO, Sandborn

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Ruben Herrendorf

CEO at NXI Therapeutics

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Prof. Dr. Pascal Gantenbein

Prof. Dr. Financial Management,

University of Basel

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Anna-Elina Pekonen

Lead Entrepreneurial Education, Innovation Office, University of Basel

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Christian Elias Schneider

Managing Director, Innovation Office, University of Basel

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Dr. Alessandro Mazzetti

Head of Innovation Office, University of Basel

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Lara Brantschen

Junior Innovation Manager, Entrepreneurship Education

Contacts

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Anna-Elina Pekonen

Lead, Entrepreneurial Education, Innosuisse

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