Fundamentals of Entrepreneurship

LEARN / SOiE / Fundamentals of Entrepreneurship

Fall Semester 2024 - 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.

People sitting on a coffee table outdoor talking

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.

Person on a whiteboard brainstorming with post-its

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 24th of September - 16h30-19h30
• Overview of different ways of entrepreneurship
• Developing entrepreneurial thinking: risk-taking, creativity, and innovation
• Entrepreneurship competences and self-reflection
Tuesday 1st of October - 16h30-19h30
• Idea generation
• Formation of interdisciplinary teams
• Importance of team work and collaboration
Tuesday 08th 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 15th of October - 16h30-19h30
• Defining the value proposition
• Understanding customer insights and market analysis
Tuesday 22nd of October - 16h30-19h30
• Developing a sustainable business plan (BMC)

• Leadership, decision-making, and problem-solving

• Minimum Viable Product (MVP) and validation
Tuesday 29th of October - 16h30-19h30
• Marketing strategies for startups
• Building a brand identity

• Leveraging AI tools in marketing

Tuesday 05th of November - 16h30-19h30
• Pitching toolbox

• Audience analysis

• Body language and voice

• Practicing and getting feedback
Tuesday 12th 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 29th 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 03rd 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 2024 Schedule

Fundamentals of Entrepreneurship Fall Semester - 3 ECTS

Bachelors, Masters

Register now

The number of participants is limited to 25 per course. Interested students should email Anna-Elina Pekonen (annaelina.pekonen@unibas.ch) before September 10, 2024. Please include:

your name, study major, number of completed semesters, and matriculation number,

your knowledge/background in entrepreneurship,

a short motivation statement explaining why you are interested in participating,

and if you have a business idea, give us a short description.

Please check if ECTS from this course will be accepted by your faculty.

We will select participants and confirm 25 participants on September 12, 2024. After confirmation email, you can enroll through the Online Services (services.unibas.ch). Eucor-Students and mobility students of other Swiss Universities or the FHNW first have to register at the University of Basel BEFORE the start of the course and receive their login data by post (e-mail address of the University of Basel). Processing time up to a week. Detailed information can be found here: https://www.unibas.ch/de/Studium/Mobilitaet.html. After successful registration, you can enroll for the course in the Online Services (services.unibas.ch).

Find more information here: 74111-01 - Kolloquium: Fundamentals of Entrepreneurship 3 KP (https://vorlesungsverzeichnis.unibas.ch/de/home?id=288694).