Social Entrepreneurship

The study process follows the logic of the entrepreneurial process, which consists mainly of developing the business idea, recognizing the business opportunities, developing and implementing the business opportunities influenced by individual (entrepreneurial qualities, motivation, skills), group (business ideas, contribution of the team), and society (economic policy, environment, technology). The topics covered during the course are the following: The nature of social entrepreneurship, principles and application possibilities in Estonia and abroad. The role and impact of social entrepreneurship in society, measuring impact and best practices about social entrepreneurship. Defining the customer’s problems, conducting the market and competitor analysis, factors affecting the business environment, marketing strategy, the forms of entrepreneurship and business models, the sustainability of social enterprise, responsible entrepreneurship, innovation in social enterprise, principles of different functional areas (marketing, finance etc) in social enterprise, the support system for social enterprise. Social entrepreneurs and specialists related to the topics of the course will be involved in the learning process.

NB! This course will take place in autumn semester 2026/2027 which starts on 31st of August and ends on 24th of January (you can find that information under start date section). TalTech's timetables for autumn semester 2026 will be published at the end of June via tunniplaan.taltech.ee.

1. Evaluates the business opportunities in social entrepreneurship based on the challenges that need to be addressed;
2. Analyses the impact of the entrepreneurial process and the business environment for the proposed social enterprise;
3. Tests the fit between social business idea and the selected market;
4. Plans the social enterprise marketing activities and strategies;
5. Designs a business model for social enterprise and its financial plan;
6. Presents and defends the social enterprise business model

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

Introduction to Entrepreneurship

• • Abu-Saifan, S. (2012). Social entrepreneurship: definition and boundaries. Technology Innovation Management Review, 2(2).
• • Martin, R. L., & Osberg, S. (2007). Social entrepreneurship: The case for definition. Stanford: Stanford social innovation review, 5(2), 28-39.
• • Sotsiaalsed ettevõtted Eestis. Väärtus ühiskonnale. (2016) vastutav koostaja: J. Aps. https://sev.ee/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/sotsiaalsed-ettevotted-eestis.pdf

lectures, exercises