B5302 - Seminar 5

Learning outcomes

The seminar aims to equip participants with a solid understanding of the bioeconomy's role in sustainable development and building entrepreneurial skills for innovating within this sector.

Course contents

The seminar focuses on entrepreneurship in the Bioeconomy, an emerging field at the intersection of sustainability, innovation, and economic growth. The Bioeconomy represents a crucial tool for addressing global ecological and social challenges, such as climate change mitigation, the promotion of cleaner production processes, economic growth, and the creation of new job opportunities.

Teaching Unit 1 - Introduction to the Bioeconomy and emerging competencies

The first unit lays the foundation for understanding what the Bioeconomy is and why it plays a fundamental role in the European economic and environmental context. Defined by the European Commission as the use of renewable biological resources and their transformation into value-added products and bioenergy, the Bioeconomy is a key sector for the sustainable future of our planet.

Practical Activities:

• Discussion on the challenges and opportunities within this sector.
• Identification of new skills, including entrepreneurship, necessary to drive innovation and support the growth of a sustainable economy.

Teaching Unit 2 - Fundamentals of entrepreneurship and mindset development

This unit aims to provide the theoretical foundations of entrepreneurship, integrating the development of an entrepreneurial mindset capable of addressing challenges and opportunities in the Bioeconomy. Students will explore how to adopt an entrepreneurial approach to identify and exploit market opportunities in innovative ways.

Practical Activities:

• The psychology of entrepreneurship: What makes an entrepreneur different?
• Self-assessment tests: Questionnaires and orientation tests on entrepreneurial inclination.

Teaching Unit 3 - From Idea to feasibility plan

Focusing on the transformation of an idea into a solid business plan, this unit will help students develop feasibility plans that effectively address the needs of the Bioeconomy sector. Topics will include idea generation, goal setting, and the transition from a vision to an organizational structure.

Practical Activities:

• Strengths and weaknesses analysis of students' entrepreneurial ideas.
• Group exercises to refine and structure business ideas.

Teaching Unit 4 - Prototyping and validation of entrepreneurial ideas

This hands-on module guides students through the process of transforming their ideas into concrete prototypes, using tools such as the Business Model Canvas and rapid validation techniques. Students will learn how to test their ideas in the market, collect feedback, and refine their approach to improve their chances of success.

Practical Activities:

• Business Model Canvas Workshop: Each group develops its own business model.
• Pitch Simulation: Students present their prototype in a pitch simulation in front of peers and faculty for immediate feedback.
• Feedback loop: Discussion on strengths and areas for improvement, with practical advice on how to adapt ideas to the market.

Teaching Unit 5 - Case studies and practical applications

The fifth unit is dedicated to testimonials from students who have participated in international entrepreneurship training programs, providing real insights and motivation based on their direct experiences. These contributions will enrich the seminar with tangible examples of success and learning.

Readings/Bibliography

The teacher provides teaching material through the Virtual platform.

Teaching methods

Teaching will be structured in units involving lectures and case study presentations aimed at enhancing technical knowledge and turning it into operational tools by the students.

Assessment methods

Assessment results in a pass/fail judgement and does not involve the attribution of a mark out of thirty.

Students who have actively and profitably attended at least 80% of the activities will be awarded a pass without having to take any further assessment. Profitable participation will be verified through the completion and passing of a short learning test at the end of each teaching unit.

Each short learning test consists of three closed-ended questions on the topics covered during the classes. The test is considered passed if the student answers at least two out of three questions correctly.

In all other cases, assessment is carried out through a single individual final written test, lasting a maximum of 60 minutes. The test consists of five closed-ended questions and one open-ended question requiring students to illustrate a SWOT analysis relating to one of the case studies discussed during the course.

The final test is considered passed if the student answers at least three out of five closed-ended questions correctly and provides a sufficient answer to the open-ended question. For the purposes of the pass/fail judgement, the answer to the open-ended question will be assessed on the basis of the correctness of its content, the ability to apply the SWOT analysis framework to the selected case study, the coherence of the argumentation, and the appropriate use of terminology.

No technical manuals, notes, textbooks, IT tools, Artificial Intelligence applications, calculation aids or multimedia tools are required or permitted during the tests.

With regard to assessment, the use of generative Artificial Intelligence is prohibited. Any use of generative AI constitutes a breach of academic integrity.

The dates, times and locations of any final tests are published on the degree programme website. Students must register for examination sessions through the AlmaEsami web application: https://almaesami.unibo.it/

Students with temporary or permanent disabilities or specific learning disorders are advised to contact the University office responsible in good time (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en ). The office will propose any necessary adaptations to the students concerned; such adaptations must in any case be submitted to the lecturer for approval at least 15 days in advance. The lecturer will assess their appropriateness also in relation to the learning outcomes of the course.

Teaching tools

Whiteboard, video projector, computer, internet access for classroom activities.

Virtuale platform.

A mailing list for teacher-student communications, access to course students only.

Office hours

See the website of Rino Ghelfi