During this course, students will form teams, engage in brainstorming sessions, validate their business ideas, design prototypes, and present a pitch in front of a panel of judges. There will be highs and lows, frustrations and moments of triumphs. Some will meet their co-founders, and some teams will even move on to start a company. Win or lose, it is certain that teams will learn new lessons, have their ideas tested, pushed to their limits, and their lives changed.
Good ideas do not automatically translate into good companies. The process of testing, validating and pivoting is critical for aspiring entrepreneurs looking to develop ideas that translate into businesses that add value. Students will gain a deeper understanding of the problems they are trying to solve. Teams will get to put their ideas and assumptions to the test, and modify them along the way through the feedback they garner. Participants will be able to evaluate if their ideas are worth pursuing and proceed to design their first prototype.
Entrepreneurs have a higher chance of succeeding if they belong to an ecosystem. To build a successful brand, it is critical to learn from those who have successfully built and grown companies, while also gaining from the experience of less successful ventures. Students will benefit from opportunities to connect with experts from different domains by engaging with startup communities during allocated study trips. This course is a time to meet potential co-founders, learn how to work in a team and gain insights from the ecosystem.
Participants in this programme will be exposed to the following areas:
- Startup Ecosystem
- The Lean Startup Model
- Business Pitching
- Overseas Market Access and Opportunities*
*Market access available for Overseas Impact Startup Challenge