Entrepreneurship and Innovation

Overview

Entrepreneurship has become an increasingly popular activity that can be evidenced in different spheres of the economy and society. More commonly, entrepreneurial behaviours are associated with new start up ventures where risk, ownership and management are combined to exploit new market or technological opportunities. But such activities can also be seen in corporate, social, public, civic, community and small business contexts to reflect organizational efforts to sustain competitive advantage, uniqueness and novelty. 

This is partly because the twenty-first century is characterized by a fast moving, competitive and global economy. Sustaining a competitive advantage requires that individuals, companies and nations are able to anticipate and stimulate (rather than merely manage) change.

Objectives 

• Extend knowledge and understanding of the foundational principles of new venture creation and business start up in different societal contexts (social, corporate, ‘for profit’ etc.). Students will be able to critically assess and extend their entrepreneurial skills through direct interaction with colleagues/tutors on the course as well as entrepreneurs and local companies.
• Develop critical, analytical and problem-solving skills. Students will learn how to recognise, analyse and offer solutions to innovation, entrepreneurial and strategic management issues in different organizational settings, using appropriate conceptual tools and theoretical frameworks.
• Enable the ability to understand the components of a business plan and to appreciate different business and financial models as well as constructing a detailed financial and marketing plan.
• Advance employability skills in team working, presentation and leadership as well as facilitating inter-cultural communication.  Students will learn how to convey their ideas, express their creativity and synthesise their thinking/knowledge both verbally and in written format. They will hone their presentation skills, learn about negotiation skills and project management.
• Provide an understanding of the local regulatory, tax and legal issues involved when starting a new venture and access to a wide set of business networks in Luxembourg economy.

Employment opportunities

Normally, candidates who complete the Entrepreneurship and Innovation programme from University of Luxembourg find employment opportunities in areas of innovation management/small business management/start-ups/entrepreneurial contexts or corporate contexts and the public sector.