Module 1: Introduction to Entrepreneurship

• Objective: Understand the foundational principles of entrepreneurship as well as the mindset of an entrepreneur
• Things to teach:
  1. Definition and importance of entrepreneurship
  2. Entrepreneurial mindset and traits
  3. Types of entrepreneurship (e.g., social, small business, scalable startup, etc.)
  4. The entrepreneurial process: Idea to execution
• Activities:
  1. Self-assessment quiz: Do you have an entrepreneurial mindset?
  2. Case study analysis of successful entrepreneurs
  3. Group discussion: What makes a great entrepreneur?

Module 2: Creative Problem-Solving and Critical Thinking

• Objective: Learn how to generate business ideas and validate their feasibility in the marketplace.
• Things to teach:
  1. Techniques for brainstorming business ideas (e.g., SCAMPER, Blue Ocean Strategy)
  2. Problem-solving approach to idea generation
  3. Market research basics: How to validate ideas
  4. Understanding customer pain points
  5. Minimum Viable Product (MVP) concept
• Activities:
  1. Brainstorm and pitch a business idea to peers
  2. Conduct a survey or interview potential customers to validate your idea
  3. Create a basic MVP outline

Module 3: Market Research and Customer Discovery

• Objective: Understand how to conduct thorough market research and identify target customers.
• Things to teach:
  1. Market research techniques (primary and secondary research)
  2. Analyzing market trends and competitive landscape
  3. Customer segmentation and personas
  4. Understanding customer needs and behaviors
  5. SWOT analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats)
• Activities:
  1. Conduct a competitor analysis
  2. Build a customer persona for your target market
  3. Group activity: SWOT analysis for a chosen industry or business

Module 4: Business Models and Value Proposition

• Objective: Learn how to create a strong business model and articulate your value proposition.
• Things to teach:
  1. What is a business model? Common types (e.g., subscription, freemium, marketplace)
  2. Business Model Canvas: Key components
  3. Crafting a value proposition: What makes your product unique?
  4. Revenue streams and pricing strategies
  5. Cost structure and key partnerships
• Activities:
  1. Develop a Business Model Canvas for your idea
  2. Write a value proposition statement for your product/service
  3. Evaluate different revenue models and choose the best fit for your business

Module 5: Finance and Funding

• Objective: Learn the basics of business finance and explore funding options for startups.
• Things to teach:
  1. Bootstrapping vs. seeking investment
  2. Role-playing: Presenting ideas clearly and persuasively to different audiences.
• Activities:
  1. Create a basic financial projection for your business
  2. Research funding options and decide which is the best fit for your startup
  3. Develop a pitch deck and present it to peers

Module 6: Marketing and Branding

• Objective: Build a marketing strategy that effectively reaches your target audience and develops your brand.
• Things to teach:
  1. Basics of branding: Logo, messaging, and identity
  2. Developing a marketing strategy (online and offline)
  3. Social media marketing, SEO, and content marketing
  4. Customer acquisition strategies
  5. What place do the 4Ps of marketing hold in today’s world
• Activities:
  1. Design a basic brand identity (logo, color scheme, slogan)
  2. Create a simple marketing plan for launching your business
  3. Develop a social media strategy and content calendar for one month

Module 7: Operations and Scaling

• Objective: Learn how to create efficient operations and scale your business sustainably.
• Things to teach:
  1. Setting up business operations (supply chain, logistics, etc.)
  2. Hiring and managing a team
  3. Operational efficiencies and workflow optimization
  4. Scaling strategies: Growth hacking, expanding markets, automation
• Activities:
1. Create a basic operational plan for your business
2. Develop a hiring plan for when your business grows
3. Identify key processes that could be automated in your business

Module 8: The Final Project

Students will be required to develop a comprehensive business plan that incorporates all the modules. The plan should include idea validation, a business model, market analysis, financial projections, and a marketing strategy. This project will be presented at the end of the course.