Entrepreneurship and Innovation is designed as a first course in MBA studies in entrepreneurship with a view to establishing a foundation platform of knowledge across three contexts of entrepreneurship: in the start-up environment; in the corporation; and, in social enterprise.

This course provides exposure to the fundamentals of business innovation and the practical aspects of identifying, evaluating, and moving business ideas forward. The course uniquely combines current students with innovators, venture capital investors and successful CEOs of start-ups, as well as addressing the contemporary topics in innovation such as: Design Thinking, The Lean Start-up and Open Innovation.

The course is a compulsory core course within the MBA program and draws upon aspects of other core courses that have been covered in the MBA program to date.

This is a hands-on opportunity to learn about venture creation, resourcing, strategy and management, involving group work in real ventures and corporations. Understanding as much about what makes entrepreneurship work – what are the magic ingredients that make a start-up work – is paramount for success. The traditional corporation stifles entrepreneurship, and many smart companies today are grappling with the challenge of how to build a culture of entrepreneurship within the corporation, at the same time driving the success of the company engine.

The course looks at startup entrepreneurship, corporate entrepreneurship and innovation, and social entrepreneurship and innovation. There is a particular focus on the Lean Startup Methodology as well as Design Thinking.

There is significant use of guest speakers and case studies.

Class work is primarily used for case studies and simulations involving extensive discussion within the student group.