Please note! Course description is confirmed for two academic years, which means that in general, e.g. Learning outcomes, assessment methods and key content stays unchanged. However, via course syllabus, it is possible to specify or change the course execution in each realization of the course, such as how the contact sessions are organized, assessment methods weighted or materials used.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Starting Up is an introductory level course about the central features of founding and running a startup company. The course is targeted for all students who want to learn more about the topic, regardless of their background and experience.

The course will provide the student with an understanding of the basics of entrepreneurship. To facilitate the thinking of starting a business, the students will sketch their own “Not-a-Business-Plan” – an outline of what their own business could look like by applying the tools presented in the course.

Objectives
After completing the course, the student
• can describe how startups differ from other types of companies
• can name the typical phases of building a startup
• can identify and state a problem that could serve a basis for a startup
• knows how to validate such a problem
• is familiar with the typical phases in identifying a product-market fit
• is familiar with the phases of the fundraising process and the differences between different funding instruments
• can create the outline of a business plan

Credits: 2

Schedule: 07.09.2020 - 31.07.2021

Teacher in charge (valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022): Lauri Järvilehto

Teacher in charge (applies in this implementation): Lauri Järvilehto

Contact information for the course (valid 01.10.2020-21.12.2112):

fitech-sci(a)aalto.fi


CEFR level (applies in this implementation):

Language of instruction and studies (valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022):

Teaching language: English

Languages of study attainment: English

CONTENT, ASSESSMENT AND WORKLOAD

Content
  • Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:

    Different types of entrepreneurship, startup-phase as a particular form of entrepreneurship, recognizing, defining and validating a problem, creating a solution, customer need as basis for entrepreneurship, understanding product-market fit, building a team, starting a company, fundraising, venture capital as a form of funding, venture growth.

Assessment Methods and Criteria
  • Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:

    Passing the course requires reading through the online material and completing the tasks and questionnaires.

Workload
  • Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:

    2 ECTS = 54h
    Reading and online materials 27h
    Tasks and questionnaires 27h

DETAILS

Study Material
  • Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:

    The course has been executed as an online course, whose material is at the following URL: www.starting-up.org

Prerequisites
  • Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:

    No required prior studies. Basics in business studies are recommended, covering accounting, finance, leadership, and marketing. E.g. TU-A1100 Industrial Engineering and Management 1, and TU-C1030 Managerial accounting and finance for decision-makers.