Entrepreneurship and Innovative Business Models

Do we need a crisis to make the technology happen? Are there tools or methods that can be used to find the perfect market fit for new technologies? What makes it so difficult to turn great ideas into reality? In the constantly evolving technology landscape, building a business model around a complex technological system requires a strategic combination of concepts. The Technology Entrepreneurship module applies selected technology and innovation management methods to real technology-based inventions, innovations and case studies. In the form of video seminars, participants learn the basics of technology entrepreneurship and innovation management, the transfer of technology-based ideas into innovative business models, and the application of technology planning and technology assessment methods. In the first part, Fundamentals of Technology Entrepreneurship, the student will find the 4 introductory videos with key terms, definitions, types, concepts and the relationship to strategic management. This introductory part is followed by understanding trends and customer needs, with videos introducing forecasting methods such as trend analysis, Pestel analysis and customer journey maps. After these initial tools, the student is given information for the first assignment. This session gives all the instructions needed to complete and upload the assignment to Moodle. In the next part, the student will find 4 videos on understanding technology development, such as technology strategy, technology systems, using patent information and technology evaluation. The last part is about understanding business model design, where the student learns about tools such as technology product market matching, the business model canvas and the value proposition canvas. Finally, instructions are given on how to prepare for and the rules of the oral examination.

The focus of this course relates to the ability of organizations to innovate, including the tools, frameworks, processes, strategies, and structures that are relevant. Thus, this course will provide a detailed overview of strategic technology and innovation management tools, explore how these tools help to support and design the management of innovative projects and organizations, assist in the creation of an innovation-oriented and innovation-supporting environment, and facilitate the development and evaluation of appropriate strategies for the implementation of new product and technology development processes. Discussion of how to appropriately utilize tools for the development and implementation of strategic technology and innovation concepts in the context of specific industries receives specific emphasis, by means of case-study discussions, in-class assignments, and guest lectures.

Die Sicherung einer guten wissenschaftlichen Praxis bildet das Fundament für qualitativ hochwertige und anerkannte Forschung. Deshalb werden die Studierenden in diesem Seminar grundlegend an wissenschaftliches Arbeiten, am Beispiel der Entrepreneurship- und Innovationsforschung, herangeführt. Hierzu werden den Studierenden der Aufbau sowie die Struktur wissenschaftlicher Texte dargestellt und die Grundlagen systematischer Literaturrecherche und Literaturverwaltungsprogramme (bspw. Citavi) vermittelt. Außerdem wird dargestellt, wie ein Thema einzugrenzen und Forschungsfragen zu definieren sind. Studierende lernen formale Richtlinien des wissenschaftlichen Schreibens sowie Zitierens und Kriterien zur Bewertung wissenschaftlicher Arbeiten kennen. Zudem werden Präsentationstechniken gezeigt, welche die Vermittlung wissenschaftlicher Inhalte unterstützt. Neben der Erstellung und Präsentation eigener Inhalte werden Studierende ihr erlerntes Wissen transferieren, indem sie Peer-Feedback geben und die Moderation einer Präsentation durchführen.

Neue Technologie-Start-ups sind wichtig für eine nachhaltige Transformation der Zukunft. Universitäten, wie die forschungsstarke RUB, bieten ein großes Potenzial für die Generierung neuer Technologien, doch nur wenige Ideen finden den Weg in die Praxis. Hier setzt dieses Modul an und zielt darauf ab, Studierende in die Lage zu versetzen, ihre Ideen in die Praxis umzusetzen, indem eine Geschäftsidee in ein erfolgreiches Geschäftsmodell überführt wird.

This course brings together key learnings about business model innovation for established firms as well as for science and technology-based ventures. This course teaches creating and validating a comprehensive business model, that is, the architecture that specifies the mechanisms of value proposition, creation and capture for emerging venturing ideas as well as for established organisations that intend to renew their business models.

The fundamental objective of this course is to explore current trends in entrepreneurship research as well as examine and evaluate research gaps in the field of technology-based entrepreneurship to better explain entrepreneurial phenomena in different settings. Participants will develop their own research idea in a term paper by applying different theory lenses and concepts. Therefore, the seminar includes literature studies, preparations of research concepts, and the state of the art in entrepreneurship literature. The course contributes to understand the emergence of entrepreneurial processes and how new insights in entrepreneurship research enable the implementation of new services, products, or processes.