Introduction to Entrepreneurship

The learning process follows the logic of the entrepreneurial process, the main stages of which are business idea generation, business opportunity recognition, business opportunity development and implementation, which are viewed at the individual (entrepreneurial characteristics, motivation, skills), group (business ideas, team member contribution) and society (economic policy, environment, technology) levels. The topics covered are the following: basic concepts and processes of entrepreneurship, trends of development, entrepreneurial culture and different forms of entrepreneurship. Principles of ethical behavior as a potential entrepreneur or an entrepreneurial employee (internal entrepreneurship). Case studies and socio-dramas of entrepreneurial culture. Personal qualities necessary for an entrepreneur or an entrepreneurial employee. Tests and self-reflections to understand the entrepreneur and the entrepreneurial employee. Various creativity-developing methods for generating, developing and evaluating innovative business ideas. Introduction to marketing. Business model planning as a team effort, taking into account the product/service's value proposition to the customer, demand, competition, resources, sales opportunities and other factors affecting the operation. The teaching uses artificial intelligence capabilities according to the course rules.

NB! This course will take place in autumn semester 2025/2026 which starts on 1st of September and ends on 25th of January (you can find that information under Start date section). TalTech's timetables for Autumn semester 2025 will be published at the end of June via tunniplaan.taltech.ee. Switch the page to English and use "Search" and "Open detailed search" to find your course. NB! Some courses are taught by several lecturers during the same semester. Make sure that the course name and lecturer/teacher infromation of your course match with the information given in the Course Catalogue.

After completing this course the student:

1. orients himself/herself in the entrepreneurial ecosystem and understands the role of development beliefs and entrepreneurial competencies in entrepreneurship and his own development areas, knows the entrepreneurial process and its interdisciplinary nature;
2. applies knowledge of the entrepreneurial process when working in an organization, including understanding basic marketing principles and financial literacy of entrepreneurship, has ability to assess simpler marketing strategies and the company's overall financial position in the context of the business model;
3. develops business ideas in cooperation with students from other disciplines, including being able to calculate initial cost and break-even point;
4. knows and can analyze the entrepreneurial environment and (business) opportunities from a sustainability perspective;
5. develops his own entrepreneurial competencies, including teamwork, creativity, planning skills - self-management.

Final assessment can consist of one test/assignment or several smaller assignments completed during the whole course. After declaring a course the student can re-sit the exam/assessment once. Assessment can be graded or non-graded. For specific information about the assessment process please get in touch with the contact person of this course. For specific information about grade transfer please contact your home university

None.

• Neck, H.; Neck, Ch.P.; Murray, E.L. Entrepreneurship. The practice and mindset. 14th.ed. 2020.

lectures, exercises