Start-up Launchpad - Business Plan Basics

This course is a hands-on entrepreneurship seminar where student teams develop their own tech-based startup projects. Moving beyond theory, this module guides participants through the entire early-stage entrepreneurial journey: from recognizing and validating opportunities to prototyping and testing solutions with a clear value proposition, designing a sustainable business model and presenting their work with a compelling story.

A key principle of this course is project ownership: all intellectual property (IP) remains with the student teams, empowering them to continue their ventures post-course.

The course is structured around practical milestones, supported by peer-to-peer sessions. We will facilitate a structured team building process at the beginning of the semester to ensure teams are well-matched and aligned.

Upon successful completion of this module, students will be able to:

• Identify & Validate Opportunities: Systematically analyze real-world problems and validate customer needs through structured field research and interviews.
• Ideate & Test Solutions: Develop value propositions and create prototypes to test core assumptions and gather user feedback.
• Design & Iterate Business Models: Apply modern business design tools to create and refine a viable and scalable business model.
• Communicate & Pitch: Compellingly communicate their venture's vision, progress, and potential.

The examination consists of the completion of a semester-long startup project as a team. It is designed to reflect the iterative and multi-faceted process of building a venture - step by step. Students will submit about 6 homework assignments throughout the semester that make up the final grade:

• Documentation of the project proposal and the team's internal working agreement
• Documentation of the user discovery process
• Documentation of the solution testing process
• Documentation of business model assumptions
• A final pitch document that tells the project story
• Documentation of peer feedback sessions

You need to apply for Venture Guide as follows:

0. Make sure you can attend the dates given in the outline: Kick-Off on 30.09 & 1.10.25, Midterm 17.12.2025, and Final Ceremony 31.03.2026

1. Application To apply for the Venture Guide Program, please submit your CV along with a short video (2–3 minutes) explaining your motivation for joining. In your video, briefly tell us why you’re interested in team facilitation and coaching, and share any relevant experience—such as Design Thinking, Lean Start-Up, Hackathons, Prototyping, or team projects. Don’t worry about being perfect; we want to get a genuine sense of who you are and what drives you. Feel free to get creative—show your face, share your latest hackathon prototype, or anything else that represents you! Send your email to venture-guide@unternehmertum.de.

2. Selection Since spots are limited, only the best 12 candidates will be selected.

• we consider every application equally, and select based on your aptitude towards coaching
• if we have more applicants than seats, for fairness reason we will select participants randomly

3. Announcement

• the final participants will be announced on September 26, 2025
• if you are not selected or cannot participate this semester, please note that Venture Guide is offered every winter and summer semester

• Completion of an introductory course in entrepreneurship is recommended but not mandatory.
• A strong curiosity for technology and innovation, and a proactive, self-starter attitude.
• Participants need to apply as a team with a specific real-world problem they are passionate about solving.

• - International Resource Panel (2024): Global Resources Outlook. - Ellen MacArthur Foundation (2015): Growth Within: A circular economy vision for a competitive Europe. - Binder & Braun (2024): The Circular Business Revolution. - Breugst, N. (2023). Entrepreneurial teams. In Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Business and Management. Oxford University Press. - Joni, S.-n. A., & Beyer, D. (2009). How to pick a good fight. Harvard Business Review, 87(12), 48-57. - Read, S., Sarasvathy, S., Dew, N., Wiltbank, R., & Ohlsson, A.-V. (2011). Effectual entrepreneurship. New York: Routledge. - Wasserman, N. (2012). Founder's dilemmas: Anticipating and avoiding the pitfalls that can sink a startup. Princeton: Princeton University Press. - Ries, E. (2011). The Lean Startup: How Today's Entrepreneurs Use Continuous Innovation to Create Radically Successful Businesses. Crown Business. - Blank, S. (2013). The Four Steps to the Epiphany: Successful Strategies for Startups that Win. K&S Ranch. - Moore, G. (2014). Crossing the Chasm (3rd edition). HarperCollins. - Maurya, A. (2012). Running Lean: Iterate from Plan A to a Plan That Works. O'Reilly Media. - Osterwalder, A. & Pigneur, Y. (2010): Business Model Generation: A Handbook for Visionaries, Game Changers, and Challengers. John Wiley & Sons. - Kawasaki, G. (2004). The Art of the Start: The Time-Tested, Battle-Hardened Guide for Anyone Starting Anything. Portfolio. - Shepherd & Majchrzak (2022): Machines augmenting entrepreneurs: Opportunities (and threats) at the Nexus of artificial intelligence and entrepreneurship. Journal of Business Venturing

This module utilizes a blended, project-based learning approach that combines digital learning with intensive peer collaboration and exchange.

• Project-Based Learning: The course is centered around the teams' own venture projects. The majority of time is dedicated to hands-on work.
• Flipped Classroom: Foundational business design concepts are delivered via online materials, allowing class time to be used for peer exchange and applied learning.
• AI-Powered Support: To scale mentorship and provide instant support, students will have 24/7 access to an AI-powered coaching assistant. This tool handles foundational questions, provides process guidance, and helps structure analyses.
• Peer-to-Peer Community: Structured peer feedback sessions and community events foster a strong cohort identity, creating a supportive network of aspiring founders that lasts beyond the semester.
• Deep Dive Workshops (limited capacity): Sessions with seasoned entrepreneurs and functional experts provide actionable insights and strengthen bonds with the ecosystem.