The Entrepreneurial Mind: Strategising for a New Venture

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In this course, students will learn what it means to be an entrepreneur from a psychological perspective. The student also learns to think about a venture creating a strategy for their business. Acquiring self-knowledge, learning to reflect, and gaining experience in being an entrepreneur are the aims of this course.

Course description

At the centre of a new venture, you find the entrepreneur working passionately on their vision of a new world, offering a solution to a problem. Their mindset, strategy, and vision of what is needed to develop their idea are at the centre of this course.

Topics in this course

- History of entrepreneurship

- The psychology of the entrepreneur

- Entrepreneurial wellbeing

- Adversity and coping strategies

- Entrepreneurial strategy

- Decision-making and investing

- Entrepreneurial Leadership

- Cooperation and group dynamics

- Innovation and change

- Storytelling

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Summer courses

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Fees and scholarships

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How to apply

Application and admission details

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Course level

Beginner / Advanced

Credits

3 ECTS

Contact hours

Language

English

Tuition fee

€735 - €1310

Forms of tuition and assessment

The course provides an integrated strategy framework for growth-oriented entrepreneurs. We alternate lectures about entrepreneurial strategy and the psychology of the entrepreneur with visits and training like boxing and mindfulness. During the workshops, you focus on understanding a new technology or societal development and a business idea in this field.
On an individual level, students learn to reflect and learn from experiences in the class which results in a reflection assignment. A professional business coach and the lecturers help students with this learning experience.
The course will be taught through written individual reflection assignments, presentation of team progress assignment, and a written duo research assignment.
In the excursions, we focus on existing start-ups, historic ventures in whaling, and experiences that show what it means to operate in today’s entrepreneurial economy.
Learning objectives
By the end of this course, students will be able to:
- Understand key strategic choices entrepreneurs face and how to navigate them using theory from the field of entrepreneurial strategy.
- Build a framework using theory and media items for the development, validation, and implementation of entrepreneurial ideas in a dynamic environment.
- Develop a self-image about being an entrepreneur, exploring entrepreneurial intentions, motivations, passion, and persistence.
About the course coordinators

Christer and Kai have conceptualised and taught courses on start-up psychology, start-up strategy, and new venture creation at VU Amsterdam and the University of Amsterdam for 5+ years; they can draw on an extensive network in Amsterdam's start-up ecosystem and boast experience from mentoring real start-ups. Christer has also worked as a management trainer specialising in leadership and personal development.
Preliminary syllabus

Here you will be able to download the preliminary syllabus for the 2024 summer course.
^{*Note that it is preliminary and that it still might be subject to change.}