363-1082-00L  Enabling Entrepreneurship: From Science to Startup

SemesterAutumn Semester 2019
LecturersA. Sethi
Periodicityyearly recurring course
Language of instructionEnglish
CommentStudents should provide a brief overview (unto 1 page) of their business ideas that they would like to commercialise through the course. If they do not have an idea, they are required to provide a motivation letter stating why they would like to do this elective. If you are unsure about the readiness of your idea or technology to be converted into a startup, please drop me a line to schedule a call or meeting to discuss.

The total number of students will be limited to 40. It is preferable that the students already form teams of at least two persons, where both the team-members would like to do the course. The names of the team-members should be provided together with the business idea or the motivation letter submitted by the students.

The students should submit the necessary information and apply to Link.


AbstractParticipants form teams and identify an idea, which is then taken through the steps necessary to form a startup. The primary focus of the course is geared to technology startups that want to reach scale.
ObjectiveParticipants want to become entrepreneurs.
Participants can be from business or science & technology
The course will enable the students to identify an idea and take all necessary steps to convert it into a company, through the duration of the two semesters.
The participants will have constant exposure to investors and entrepreneurs (with a focus on ETH spin-offs) through the course, to gain an understanding of their vision and different perspectives.
ContentParticipants start from idea identification, forming team, technology and market size validation, assessing time-to-market, customer focus, IP strategy & financials, to become capable of starting the company and finally making the pitch to investors.

The seminar comprises lectures, talks from invited investors regarding the importance of the various elements being covered in content, workshops and teamwork. There is a particular emphasis on market validation on each step of the journey, to ensure the relevance of the idea, relevance to customers, time to market and customer value.
LiteratureBook
Sethi, A. "From Science to Startup"
ISBN 978-3-319-30422-9
Prerequisites / NoticeThis course is only relevant for those students who aspire to become entrepreneurs.

Students applying for this course are requested to submit a 1 page business idea or, in case they don't have a business idea, a brief motivation letter stating why they would like to do this course.

The course will be in two modules (autumn and spring), which will run in two consecutive semesters. Priority for the second semester will be given to those students who have attended the first semester.

If you are unsure about the readiness of your idea or technology to be converted into a startup, please drop me a line to schedule a call or meeting to discuss.