Universitat Internacional de Catalunya
Entrepreneurship
Other languages of instruction: Catalan, Spanish,
Teaching staff
By appointment and agreed upon between teacher and student during class sessions
Introduction
In a changing global environment such as the one in which we live, innovation and entrepreneurship are the main strategic option for the future, not forgetting that both go hand in hand: we can not create innovative companies because innovation is the main factor of competitiveness of companies New Creation.
This course aims not only to promote the entrepreneurial spirit among the students but also to give the tools so that they themselves can turn their ideas into real projects. The subject links basic concepts from key functional areas, which are essential to build a business plan.
Pre-course requirements
Basic knowledge of the essential funcional areas of a company is assumed (Finance, Sales, Marketing, Manufacturing, Logistics, Human Resources)
Objectives
After successfully completing the course, students will be able to:
• Understand what features are required as an entrepreneur.
- Avoid main entrepreneurial pitfalls.
- Understand the decision making process.
- Generate business ideas.
- Understand the game rules for innovation and entrepreneurship.
- Understand who are the "players" involved in the innovation and entrepreneurial ecosystem and how they relate to each other.
- Know how to use analytical tools to determine if an idea is also an opportunity, to understand its potential, and to support decision-making.
- Learn to design business models.
- Learn how to analyze the feasibility of a business project.
- Learn how to prepare a business plan.
- Access funding sources and know the main factors needed to negotiate in order to obtain capital.
- Understand that entrepreneurship skills are not limited to start-ups, but they can also can be applied to established businesses as a means of detecting new growth opportunities.
Competences/Learning outcomes of the degree programme
CE1
To acquire basic knowledge of traditional cosmetics involves understanding what ingredients and chemical principles are required to formulate cosmetic products.
CE2
To know about the physiology and structure of the areas in which cosmetic products are applied, as well as understanding the different applications that these products have.
CE3
To have the ability to understand and use methodologies, new technologies and bioengineering tools in the research, development and manufacturing of cosmetic products.
CE4
To acquire the essential skills to perform in the cosmetics manufacturing sector, including knowledge of production processes and quality control in the cosmetics industry.
CE5
To know the regulations and standards in the cosmetics industry, as well as how to evaluate manufacturing systems and processes, and how to perform quality control of them.
CE6
To integrate the fundamentals of materials science and technology, nanotechnology and 3D printing for their application in modern cosmetics, in addition to knowing how to apply artificial intelligence tools for the design of new cosmetic products.
CE7
To apply bioengineering methodologies to produce innovative ingredient release systems for use in cosmetics.
CE8
To possess basic concepts of the application of microbiology in the formulation and preservation of cosmetic products, as well as the use of genetic engineering applied to the production of innovative ingredients in cosmetics.
CE9
To promote the spirit of entrepreneurship and integrate the knowledge applied to the organization and management of companies in Bioengineering,
considering their legal framework and current regulations, as well as the process necessary to preserve the intellectual property of cosmetic products.
CE10
To carry out a project in the field of specific Bioengineering technologies in the field of Cosmetics of a professional nature in which the skills acquired in the teachings are synthesized and integrated.
CE11
To have the ability to carry out a project using data sources, and the application of methodologies, research techniques and tools specific to Bioengineering, and make a public presentation and defense of the project before a specialized audience in such a way as to demonstrate the acquisition of the skills and knowledge specific to the master's degree.
RA1
Know the basic principles of traditional cosmetics and apply them in the manufacture of cosmetic products
RA2
Understand and use bioengineering tools, such as 3D printing, artificial intelligence, or the use of materials, for innovation in the research, development and manufacture of cosmetic products.
RA3
Possess knowledge of the regulations and standards of the cosmetics industry and apply them in manufacturing processes and quality controls.
RA4
Advise and participate in the performance of quality, efficacy and safety tests of cosmetic products.
RA5
Think and act critically and responsibly during the research, development and manufacture of cosmetic products, taking into account ethical issues arising from the world of cosmetics.
RA6
Understand and apply the fundamentals of entrepreneurship to develop business plans and manage cosmetic companies that wish to apply the new technologies that Bioengineering can provide.
RA7
Be independent in carrying out research and development projects for innovative cosmetic products using new Bioengineering technologies.
RA8
Perform normally in interdisciplinary work teams where he contributes his knowledge and the new Bioengineering technologies in the development of cosmetic products.
Learning outcomes of the subject
After finishing the course the student will be able to:
1. Identify decision making biases
2. Identifiy main entrepreneurial skills.
3. Critical success an failure factors of new ventures.
4. Formulate a company purpose.
5. How to design a winner value proposition and top line growth elements.
6. Techniques to generate innovation funnels.
7. Check the feasibility of an entrepreneurial project.
8. Main financing tools available for entrepreneurs.
9. Develop a robust business plan
Syllabus
- The human being as an entrepreneur: decision making
- Business critical success and failure factors.
- Innovation: ideas, concept and value proposal
- Business funding strategies & pitching
- Go to market
- Communication plan
- Business modelling
Teaching and learning activities
In person
The course will combine theoretical and practical exercices.
The methodology of the sessions will be based on lectures and business case discussions.
Students will work in teams and should be able to present their exercices in front of the audience, simulating an investor environment. They should design a business model based on an idea, and defend it publicly at the end of the course.
The course requires individual study, teamwork, presentations, reading, and an exam at the end of the course.
Evaluation systems and criteria
In person
Indispensable conditions for being evaluated are handing in all assigned work and attendance to at least 80% of classes (>3 absences = not assessed).
10% Lecture engagement
30% Mini-cases
40% Business plan
20% Exam (multiple choice test)
Bibliography and resources
Robert T. Kiyosaki: Rich dad, poor dad
Eric Ries: The lean startup
Bill Murphy jr: The intelligent entrepreneur
Benjamin Graham: The intelligent investor
Dale Carnegie: How to win friends & influence people
Chris Guillebeau: The $100 Startup
W. Chan Kim, Renée Mauborgne: Blue ocean strategy
Martin Lindstrom: Buy-ology
Bob Fifer: Double your profits in 6 months or less
Robert Cialdini: Influence, the psichology of persuasion
Chris Voss: Never split the difference
Harvard Business Review: Entrepreneur’s handbook
Jean Marie Dru: Beyond disruption
Roger Fisher, Willam Ury: Getting to yes