Train­ing en­tre­pren­eur­ship at the Fac­ulty GM: in the spe­cial­iz­a­tion sub­ject En­tre­pren­eur­ship

In the winter semester 2021/22, students of the specialization subject (VT) experienced the development of a business idea with the Business Model Canvas. Students trained in teams of a maximum of five with a common goal: With the "Start Up - business simulation for business start-up and innovative product development", they were to learn in a practical way what needs to be considered when starting a business. The challenge was to set up and run a company for the production and sale of surfboards in the fictitious "Santa Beach".

The students gathered information on the Startup Web, created business plans with the help of a startup tool, pitched and successfully passed negotiations with investors. In this way, the participants were able to set up a fictitious company and manage their start-up in a competitive environment, including implementing the business plan and strategy under constantly changing conditions.

The subject area of health offers scope for start-ups

Before creating their first start-up idea, the participants thus underwent basic training through all the stages of becoming an Entrepreneur:in. In the process, they discovered that all the subject content they had learned so far in their studies had come together to form one big whole: strategies and numbers are just as critical to success as creativity and stamina. Consequently, the students grapple with a multitude of relevant questions: Which location is the best, what should our product look like and who is the target customer, which and how many staff do we need? How much outside capital should we raise, should we court investors? Do we want to pursue a niche policy in the market or do we go for mass? Do we focus on innovative technology and invest in research and development? What do we use for marketing?

The head of the specialization is Prof. Dr. Silvia Straub, a member of the health management faculty. "The subject area of health offers scope for your own ideas and start-ups. Participation is possible across all courses of study and the subject has been continuously well received for years," says Prof. Straub. The specialization is offered regularly in the winter semester. This semester it took place virtually.

Support from an expert: Prof. Dr. Christoph Müller from the University of St. Gallen

The participants were given a practical introduction and numerous tips during an interview with international guest Prof. Dr. Christoph Müller, Titual Professor of Business Administration, in particular start-ups and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) at the University of St. Gallen. Prof. Müller brings experience as managing director of the STARTFELD association, Eastern Switzerland's young entrepreneur platform and incubator. His main research interests include business management issues of start-ups. The participants could bring in their questions and have them answered by Prof. Müller. The interview with Prof. Müller was recorded so that other students can benefit from this expertise.