91252 - Laboratory of Business Plan

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, the student is able to account for and compare different theories that describe the starting up and organization of innovative ventures and understands the information and the analyses needed to perform a feasibility analysis and write a draft business plan for an innovative venture. The student is able to collect and analyze relevant information for that purpose, and to communicate a feasibility analysis/business plan orally and in writing.

Course contents

The course operates as a practical laboratory, taking students step-by-step from idea generation to startup launch.

Introduction & The Entrepreneurial Opportunity: Understanding what a company and a startup are, the importance of the entrepreneurial team, and how to identify an idea.

The Deep-tech Startup Journey: Exploring the differences between deep-tech and regular-tech startups, the innovation ecosystem, key roles in a startup, and cap table composition.

Value Proposition & Market Analysis: Customer segments, Value Proposition Design, finding the problem-solution fit, and market sizing (TAM, SAM, SOM).

Business Model & Validation Strategy: The Business Model Canvas, validation approaches, and the Lean Startup methodology.

Financials & Fundraising: Developing a financial and economic plan, understanding funding sources, and exploring fundraising strategies.

From Business Model to Business Plan: Operationalizing assumptions, defining corporate strategy, and understanding the structure of a complete Business Plan.

Pitching Strategy: Learning how to successfully present a project, culminating in the "Final pitches" module.

Readings/Bibliography

The following textbooks are strongly recommended for a clear comprehension of the topics presented during the course:

Preparing Effective Business Plans: An entrepreneurial approach. Bruce Barringer, 2014, Pearson New International Edition, 1st Edition, ISBN-13: 978-1-292-03991-6

Osterwalder, A., & Pigneur, Y. (2010). Business Model Generation: A Handbook for Visionaries, Game Changers, and Challengers. John Wiley & Sons, ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-8126533671

Alongside this textbooks, a series of slides, case studies, problems and exercises will also be presented throughout the course.

Teaching methods

The course is designed as an interactive "laboratory" rather than a traditional lecture-based class. Teaching methods include:

• Theoretical frameworks and interactive lectures combined with real-world case studies.

• Guest lectures and testimonials from entrepreneurs, investors, patent attorneys, and startup accelerators.

• Practical Teamwork and Check-ins (SAL): Extensive group work (both autonomous and supervised) where students apply concepts to their own startup ideas.

• Pitching Sessions: Hands-on practice in presenting startup projects, focusing on communication and strategy. Active participation, class interaction, and continuous teamwork are fundamental to successfully passing the course.

Office hours

See the website of Shiva Loccisano