Foundation Semester

44M0518

Master

German

30.0

only winter term

1 semester

-WHO: Students who have dealt with process, product, technology and business model innovations, who are interested in new technologies and would like to learn how ideas are developed through participatory innovation processes up to the decision to found a company, and...
- WHAT: ... who have a concept for the further development of a) a start-up idea or b) an innovative idea for a prototype development...
-HOW:  ... should be able to use the 3rd semester accompanied by a) project support, b) accompanying offers (5 - 10 day workshops/mentoring/financing pitch) in the Startuplab or from the network, at the location of the Startuplab/other HSOS locations...
WHY: to develop a start-up project or a pilot model and to test it as part of the start-up project. 
-CONCLUSION: ... the implementation/market launch/feasibility analysis etc. could be further developed in the Master's thesis if this appears promising.

- 1-day workshop in the Startuplab to develop a rough concept for the innovation/business idea based on the Empathy and Definition Design Thinking phases: Then identify the supervising lecturer, register in the Startuplab/Foundation Officer AuL, carry out the interim phase: Deepen the Empathy phase through customer interviews and literature analysis
- 2.5-day workshop in the Startuplab to further develop the business idea into a business model based on heuristic methods (3-day workshop) with all participants of the start-up semester: Completion of the Empathy and Define design thinking phase. Start of the Ideate and Prototype phase. Basic methods Lean Startup Method, development of a business model prototype. Sub-methods from the field of Design Thinking, 55 St. Gallen business models, Blue Ocean Strategy etc.. Develop schedule/content + pitch, meet mentor, create self-vision, prepare interim phase (further analysis and research, prototype development and testing of previous ideas).
- 1-day workshop in the Startuplab to clarify the status quo, mutual critical testing by the participants, assessment of the quality/evaluation of the prototypes/business idea, review of the previous work phase and self-reflection. Definition of to-do's for the next/second half of the start-up semester/interim phase (e.g. development of market entry/marketing concept, production/procurement planning, creation of physical prototypes and other tasks).

- 2-day workshop in the Startuplab to prepare the investment, financial and risk planning and pitch presentation.  Clarification of legal start-up issues and preliminary clarification or preparation for legal advice meeting/workshop, preparation of the interim phase (finalising the economic sub-plans in this phase)
- 1-day workshop in the Startuplab to clarify legal issues with legal experts and decide on a possible legal form including legal details for the articles of association/partnership agreement, interim phase preparation of a short business plan
- 1-day workshop in the Startuplab on the business model pitch in front of the camera, including reflection on the pitch by participants and workshop leader. Preparation of the interim phase (revision of the presentation based on the feedback received).
- 1/2 day final presentation of the business model at the RISE start-up evening/mentors

- 1/2 day Agile Retrospektive and Review.

The total workload for the module is 900 hours (see also "ECTS credit points and grading").

• Project Report, written and Presentation

• Regular participation

Project report on method concept and short business plan for the business idea incl. rough concept (2 - 3 pages and 20 - 25 pages plus appendices) + presentation (pitch of the business idea) 10 min.

None beyond those in the broad module catalogue of the degree programmes involved. An interest in and ability to work in interdisciplinary teams is advantageous.
The start-up semester can be completed by an individual with a start-up project or by a student team. Students who are planning to take over a company and develop it further are also welcome. Ideally, prior knowledge in these areas has already been acquired through the WP modules. However, it is not compulsory.
For students who want to work in management, strategy development, product development or in the R&D area of companies in the future and have orientated their studies accordingly, this foundation semester can also provide sound practical experience in being able to apply scientific methods to complex issues in a targeted manner.

Students can apply various methods to develop an initial business/idea into a business model and evaluate the usefulness of the methods with regard to the context. They can basically prepare for the foundation of a company on the basis of the innovation process framework of design thinking and know the essential steps and sub-methods from this pre-seed phase. You will be able to assess, plan and carry out the individual steps required to found a company.

You have learnt the first methods of self-vision and self-reflection and applied them to your own situation.

Students can evaluate and apply the individual methods used in business model development and in business plans. They are able to critically evaluate the results of the application.

They can assess and deal with the advantages and disadvantages of the methods and their limits of accuracy due to the early innovation and planning phase. You will be able to apply both heuristic and analytical methods in the pre-foundation phase to evaluate a business idea. You will also be familiar with qualitative methods to test partial results and develop them iteratively.

Students can independently acquire new knowledge and skills in dealing with the above-mentioned methods in order to properly deal with problems in the early start-up/innovation phase.

Students can analyse the results they have obtained using independently selected quantitative or qualitative methods against the background of their research question. They are familiar with the challenges and methodological limitations of the early innovation phase and can properly evaluate the results they have obtained. They are able to initiate design thinking processes in order to develop and test business ideas in other contexts.

The start-up semester module is interdisciplinary and the start-up teams must organise themselves in the interim phases on the basis of the agile management they learned in the "Future Skills" module in the first semester. The pitch presentation is also practised orally and reflected on by video recording. In addition, the various intermediate stages are reflected on with different stakeholder groups through interviews, testing, etc.  Finally, the students independently carry out a retrospective and a review based on agile methods. Throughout the entire process, they learn to set goals, implement measures, reflect on them and drive further development in the next iteration loop. This teaches many communication skills such as Critical reflection and discussion, giving and obtaining feedback, conducting interviews, presenting in front of an audience and camera, etc.

Students are able to responsibly apply methods of business model development, qualitative analysis methods and technical tools (both in economic analysis and in the field of multi-media) and reflect on them from a professionalised position.

• Schnitker, Karin

• Schnitker, Karin
• Berstermann, Jan

Jana von Höne; Lea Prein