Innovation to Business (5 op)

Arviointiasteikko

H-5

Sisällön jaksotus

Overall Structure
Odd weeks (1, 3, 5, 7, 9): New topic presentations by the instructors, introducing key concepts.
Even weeks (2, 4, 6, 8, 10): Student group presentations where they present the work done, receive feedback, and refine their ideas.

Detailed Weekly Plan
Week 1: Ideation and Teaming Up (16th January 2025)
Objective: Generate initial business ideas, form teams, and understand entrepreneurship basics.
Instructor Presentation:
Introduce entrepreneurship and the Lean Startup methodology.
Lead ideation workshop (NABC Ideation Canvas).
Form teams based on business ideas.
Homework: Teams refine their business ideas and prepare a list of potential ideas with a short description of the chosen one.

Week 2: Ideation Results & Feedback (23rd January 2025)
Student Presentations:
Each team presents their chosen business idea, including initial thoughts on the problem and market.
Instructor Feedback:
Provide feedback on the viability, innovation, and potential of their ideas.
Guide them in refining their business concepts.

Week 3: Problem and Customer Validation (30th January 2025)
Objective: Validate the identified problem and understand target customers.
Instructor Presentation:
Problem validation techniques and customer persona creation.
How to conduct effective customer discovery interviews.
Homework: Teams conduct customer interviews and refine their problem statements and customer personas.

Week 4: Problem & Customer Validation Results (6th February 2025)
Student Presentations:
Each team presents their refined problem statement, customer personas, and the feedback they gathered from interviews.
Instructor Feedback:
Evaluate how well the teams validated their problems and customer assumptions.
Offer suggestions for additional customer validation or problem refinement.

Week 5: Lean Canvas and Business Model (13th February 2025)
Objective: Develop and validate core components of the business model using the Lean Canvas.
Instructor Presentation:
Introduce the Lean Canvas and its 9 components.
Guide teams through filling out their Lean Canvas.
Homework: Teams complete their Lean Canvas and develop a draft business model.

Week 6: Business Model Results (27th February 2025)
Student Presentations:
Each team presents their Lean Canvas, focusing on customer segments, value propositions, and revenue models.
Instructor Feedback:
Provide feedback on how well their business model aligns with the customer problem.
Suggest improvements and refinements.

Week 7: Prototyping and MVP Development (6th March 2025)
Objective: Create a basic prototype and MVP development plan.
Instructor Presentation:
Introduction to prototyping and the concept of Minimum Viable Product (MVP).
Examples of successful MVPs.
Homework: Teams begin prototyping and creating an MVP development plan.

Week 8: Prototyping Results (13th March 2025)
Student Presentations:
Teams present their prototypes and MVP plans, showcasing their progress.
Instructor Feedback:
Evaluate the prototypes and MVP plans, offering suggestions for next steps and refinement.

Week 9: Pitch Preparation (20th March 2025)
Objective: Develop and polish pitch decks for final presentations.
Instructor Presentation:
Teach the art of pitching and essential components of a compelling pitch (value proposition, business model, market potential, team strength).
Provide guidance on creating a professional pitch deck.
Homework: Teams finalize their pitch decks and practice their presentations.

Week 10: Final Pitch Presentations (27th March 2025)
Student Presentations:
Teams deliver their final pitches, simulating a real-world pitch competition.
Instructor Feedback:
Provide comprehensive feedback on their pitch, business model, and overall project.
Offer next steps for further development and growth.
Submission:
Teams submit their full set of materials (business model, customer interviews, MVP plan, etc.) for final evaluation.

Tavoitteet

After participating in the course, the student:
* understands basics of innovation-based entrepreneurship, business idea generation, target customer's analysis, prototype design and planning, and technology development
* is familiar with use of NABC and Lean canvases for business ideas validation
TRL (technology readiness level) and MVP (minimum viable product) concepts
* has got experience on Innovation and business pitching skills for private funding,
as well as grant application from public funding.

Sisältö

Ideation and Teaming up
Problem and Customer Validation
Lean-canvas and business model
Prototyping and Minimum Viable Product
Pitching and Way Forward

Oppimateriaalit

Teachers will provide powerpoints and additiional materials via the ItsLearning environment

Additional literature, for instance:
Maurya, A. (2022). Running lean. " O'Reilly Media, Inc.".
Fitzpatrick, R. (2013). The Mom Test: How to talk to customers & learn if your business is a good idea when everyone is lying to you. Robfitz Ltd.
Ries, E. (2011). The lean startup. New York: Crown Business, 27, 2016-2020.

Opetusmenetelmät

Experiential Learning: Direct engagement with real-world problems and solutions.
Project-Based Learning: Long-term development of a business project.
Collaborative Learning: Team-based work to develop and refine ideas.
Active Learning: Interactive workshops and hands-on activities.
Problem-Based Learning: Solving real-world problems through innovation.
Formative Assessment: Ongoing feedback and iterative improvement.
Flipped Classroom: Pre-class preparation for interactive in-class work.
Coaching & Mentorship: Guidance from experienced instructors and mentors.
Pitch Practice: Development of presentation and pitching skills.

Tenttien ajankohdat ja uusintamahdollisuudet

There are not exams. The evaluation is based on the performance of the student, both at individual level and as part of a team.

Pedagogiset toimintatavat ja kestävä kehitys

Pedagogic Approaches: Emphasis on student-centered, collaborative, experiential, and problem-based learning, supported by coaching and iterative feedback.
Sustainable Development: Encourages students to develop eco-friendly, ethical, and socially responsible business ideas that align with the principles of long-term value creation and systems thinking.

Toteutuksen valinnaiset suoritustavat

There are not alternative methods. Assistance to the events, to at least 80% is mandatory. See all instructions.

Opiskelijan ajankäyttö ja kuormitus

Teamwork and Assignments:
You’ll be working in teams formed around a business idea from Week 1.
Collaborate with your team on assignments presented during the odd weeks and continue refining these in preparation for presentations in the even weeks.

Odd Weeks (1, 3, 5, 7, 9):
Attend presentations on a new topic by the instructors (e.g., ideation, customer validation, business models).
Work with your team to apply the concepts presented to your business idea (e.g., creating a Lean Canvas, conducting customer interviews).
Prepare a team presentation for the next even week session.

Even Weeks (2, 4, 6, 8):
Present your progress (e.g., business idea, validation results, MVP) to the class.
Receive feedback from instructors and peers to refine your work.

Between Sessions:
After receiving feedback, continue refining your team’s work during the remainder of the week.
Be prepared to apply new concepts from the upcoming session to your ongoing project.

Week 10: Final Pitch and Submission:
Pitch your business idea during the final session.
Submit all your project materials (e.g., business model, customer interviews, MVP) to the instructors for evaluation.

Summary of Obligations:
Collaborate with your team on each assignment.
Present your work during the even weeks.
Refine and improve your work based on feedback.
Submit the final version of all project materials by the end of Week 10.

Arviointimenetelmät ja arvioinnin perusteet

Team-Based Performance:
Your grade will be based on two key factors:
Your individual contribution as a valuable team member.
Your team’s overall performance and achievements throughout the course.

Evaluation Criteria:
Grading is about 50 % on team merits and 50 % performance performance, always related to the quality of work done. Course feedback is both giving by teachers at individual level, group level, and collective level. Overall, how well you work with your team to complete tasks and achieve goals, and how you did towards that. We both evaluate your individual efforts and on how your team performs. A strong team effort can lead to higher grades for all members, while poor team performance will negatively impact everyone’s grade.

Attendance Requirement:
You must attend at least 80% of the contact sessions to pass the course. Missing more than 20% of these sessions may result in failing, as active participation is crucial.

Logic behind the course:
The course search for students from all areas from Turku UAS. Innovations need several types of profiles, from programing to bio fields, going to food processing and automated manufacturing, and obviously now AI-based (why not). Optimally, several students would continue with the innovation further, and so this course worked as a bridge for them to develop innovation towards commercialization.

Hylätty (0)

Not meeting attendance requirements or unsatisfactory performance within the team.

Arviointikriteerit, tyydyttävä (1-2)

Basic contribution but lacking in collaboration, progress, or overall team achievements.

Arviointikriteerit, hyvä (3-4)

Consistent participation and contribution, with your team achieving solid results.

Arviointikriteerit, kiitettävä (5)

Outstanding individual collaboration and contribution to a high-performing team, delivering excellent results throughout the course.

Esitietovaatimukset

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Lisätiedot

Active team participation and high-quality work are essential for a good grade.
80% attendance is required to avoid failing the course.
The grading reflects both your individual effort and your team’s overall success.