Business Development
- Faculty
Faculty of Engineering and Computer Science
- Version
Version 1 of 20.02.2026.
- Module identifier
11M2202
- Module level
Master
- Language of instruction
English
- ECTS credit points and grading
5.0
- Module frequency
only summer term
- Duration
1 semester
- Brief description
This course focuses on the strategic planning and administrative tasks involved in developing a viable business model for design products, services, ideas, etc. Students will use their design projects as real-world examples for developing, evaluating and validating a business model. They will learn to create a convincing business pitch, prepare an appropriate marketing strategy and market entry of their product. They will further learn basics about financing and funding their business idea.
- Teaching and learning outcomes
- Feasibility Study and Business Plan development, evaluation and validation
- Learning to pitch a business idea model with respect to potential investors
- Financing and funding models: funding and financing a start-up or product development
- Sources and types of financing
- Peculiarities and characteristics of innovation funding (symmetric information, types of crowdfunding, etc.)
- Strategies of securing financing and the corresponding assessment from different perspectives
- The impact of funding/investment type on business structure
Basics to prepare a financial plan
- Overall workload
The total workload for the module is 150 hours (see also "ECTS credit points and grading").
- Teaching and learning methods
Lecturer based learning Workload hours Type of teaching Media implementation Concretization 30 Seminar - 15 Learning in groups / Coaching of groups - Lecturer independent learning Workload hours Type of teaching Media implementation Concretization 30 Preparation/follow-up for course work - 25 Work in small groups - 50 Other -
- Graded examination
- Project Report, written
- Exam duration and scope
Written project report (30 - 40 Pages), which will be presented in class.
- Recommended prior knowledge
No previous knowledge required.
- Knowledge Broadening
- Students know and understand the different parts and methods of a feasibility study resp. business plan and can assess them from different perspectives
Students can differentiate between sources of financing for their business venture, such as grant and funding programs, savings/loan, venture capital, seed, crowdfunding, etc.
- Students know and understand the different parts and methods of a feasibility study resp. business plan and can assess them from different perspectives
- Knowledge deepening
- In addition to the knowledge of business development and assessment on the basis of tools and techniques foreseen in business plans as well as financing strategies, students acquire implementation skills, because the theory is practised throughout the module on the basis of the development of their own business model, which they have developed in "Front End Innovation: Business Startup-Tools."
- Knowledge Understanding
- Students are able to evaluate and validate their business models and idea on the basis of different techniques.
- Students are able to evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of various production options and justify their decisions.
- Application and Transfer
- Students are able to develop a feasibility study or even a business plan and are able to design and execute a business model pitch.
- Students are able to carry out the decision making and administrative tasks involved to prepare for investment.
- Academic Innovation
- Students are able to apply analytical, scientific tools to novel issues.
- Communication and Cooperation
- Students can communicate their business goals and needs to different actors within the design entrepreneurship context in both written business proposals (pitch presentations) and verbal business pitches.
- Students can discuss and negotiate on a technical and general level with various actors during business development phase.
- Academic Self-Conception / Professionalism
- Students are aware of potential impacts created. by their design and business activites, can analayse these within a critcial framework and develop business models that are socially responsible and sustainable.
- Literature
- Blackwell Edward (2017). How to Prepare a Business Plan: Your Guide to Creating an Excellent Strategy, Forecasting Your Finances and Producing a Persuasive Plan (Business Success). (6th ed.), Kogan Page.
- Barrow Colin, Barrow Paul, Brown Robert: The Business Plan Work Book. A Step-By-Step-Guide Creating and Developing a Successful Business. Kogan Page.
- Granet, Keith (2021). The Business of Design: Balancing Creativity and Profitability. Princeton Architectural Press.
- Daum, Callie. (2020). Business Strategy: Essentials You Always Wanted to Know (2nd ed.). Vibrant.
Neumeier, Marty. (2008). The Brand Gap: How To Bridge the Distance Between Business Strategy and Design(Rev. ed.). Aiga Design Press. - Coffey, Adam (2019. The private equity playbook. Management's Guide to Working with Private Equity. Lioncrest Publishing.
- Applicability in study programs
- Automotive Engineering (Master)
- Automotive Engineering M.Sc. (01.09.2025)
- Design Entrepreneurship
- Design Entrepreneurship M.A. (01.09.2025)
- Computer Science
- Computer Science M.Sc. (01.09.2025)
- Mechatronic Systems Engineering
- Mechatronic Systems Engineering M.Sc. (01.09.2025)
- Electrical Engineering (Master)
- Electrical Engineering M.Sc. (01.09.2025)
- Mechanical Engineering (Master)
- Mechanical Engineering M.Sc. (01.09.2025)
- Applied Materials Sciences
- Applied Materials Sciences M.Sc. (01.09.2025)
- Person responsible for the module
- Hofmann, Thomas
- Further lecturer(s)
N.N.