Entrepreneurship and Business Planning

The course follows problem-, project- (PBL) or challenge-based (CBL) learning methodology, with the development of entrepreneurial competence systematically integrated into the learning process. The course supports the development of students’ entrepreneurial knowledge, skills and entrepreneurial mindset, while also fostering critical thinking, collaboration and communication competence, as well as ethical and responsible action. Lectures cover the entrepreneurial process, the economic activities of a company, the recognition of business opportunities, business model development, market and competitor analysis, the planning of the marketing mix, and the preparation of financial forecasts, linking theoretical knowledge with the real business environment and economic context. The development of the business project takes place in interdisciplinary teams, where students either choose their own idea, problem or business opportunity, or join a challenge-based learning group that addresses a challenge guided by a real organisation. The work is based on real-life contexts, the needs of target groups, the principles of sustainability, business ethics and the logic of the entrepreneurial process. During the course, the following tasks are carried out: identifying a business opportunity through the analysis of a problem or challenge, designing a business model, conducting customer, market and competitor research, planning the marketing mix and action plan, preparing a feasibility analysis and financial forecasts, and compiling and presenting a project document. In completing these tasks, attention is paid to the evidence-based nature of information, the reliability of sources, the critical interpretation of data, the comparison of alternative solutions, and reasoned decision-making. The course activities take place as teamwork in an interdisciplinary environment. The course is based on a research-based entrepreneurial competence model.

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.

After completing this course, the student:

• analyses the entrepreneurial process and the economic activities of a company in a real business environment;
• evaluates business opportunities based on global trends and the principles of sustainability;
• prepares a market and competitor analysis based on the selected business opportunity, problem, or challenge;
• prepares a feasibility analysis for the business opportunity;
• designs a marketing mix and action plan based on the business model;
• forecasts the financial results of the project;
• presents the business plan and financial forecasts in a well-argued manner as part of teamwork.

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.
• Teemakohased teadusartiklid, videoloengud ja konspektid Moodle'is. / Relevant research articles, lecture recordings and summaries on Moodle.

lectures, exercises