The Entrepreneurial Mind: Thinking about your Enterprise

Apply now

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

Continue reading below for more information.

Summer courses

View the full programme

Fees, discounts and scholarships

Find out more

Application and admissions

See how to apply

Course level

Beginner

Contact hours

Language

English

Tuition fee

€765 - €1360

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.}