30361 - DOING BUSINESS IN EUROPE

No prerequisites are required.

This course is designed to deepen understanding and skills in navigating the dynamic and multifaceted European business environment, with a specific focus on entrepreneurship and early-stage venture creation. It aims to cultivate a robust foundation in ideating, evaluating, and launching new business ventures within the diverse contexts of Europe. By exploring core concepts such as market analysis, financial planning, legal frameworks, and business model development, the course prepares students to effectively tackle the challenges and leverage the opportunities in European markets. Enriched with case studies, guest lectures, and practical projects, the course offers an immersive experience that blends theoretical knowledge with hands-on learning, ensuring students are well-equipped to embark on entrepreneurial endeavors in Europe's unique business landscape.

1. Intro about the European Business Context
2. Early carrer fouders' dilemmas
3. Exercise on entrepreneuriship fundamentals
4. Guest Lecture on Start-up and Idea generation
5. Business Model Canvas and Platfom Business 
6. Organizing Growth (POCD)
7. How to Pitch and Review
8. DemoDays

1. Assess the intricacies of market entry strategies and competitive positioning for startups in the European context, considering the unique business practices and regulatory landscapes across different European countries.
2. Understand and apply entrepreneurship frameworks and lean startup principles to develop viable business models that are responsive to the challenges and opportunities within the European entrepreneurial ecosystem.
3. Critically analyze case studies of successful and unsuccessful European startups to identify patterns and derive insights on best practices in venture creation and growth management in the European market.

1. Design and implement a market entry strategy for a startup in Europe, using data-driven insights to navigate regulatory complexities and capitalize on market opportunities across different European nations.
2. Apply creative problem-solving techniques, to generate innovative business ideas that address the specific needs and challenges of the European market.
3. Conduct a thorough analysis of business models using established frameworks like the Business Model Canvas, tailored for the European entrepreneurial environment, to strategize startup structuring and scaling.
4. Evaluate various funding mechanisms, including angel investment and crowdfunding, understanding their applicability and potential in the European context for early-stage financing.
5. Develop and refine pitching skills to effectively communicate business propositions, aiming to engage investors, stakeholders, and partners in a European business setting.

• Face-to-face lectures
• Guest speaker's talks (in class or in distance)
• Case studies /Incidents (traditional, online)
• Group assignments
• Interactive class activities on campus/online (role playing, business game, simulation, online forum, instant polls)

In addition to traditional in-person lectures, our course features guest sessions with industry professionals and subject matter experts who engage with students on central course topics. We incorporate case studies and, when feasible, interactive exercises to foster lively classroom debates. Throughout the course, students will collaborate on group assignments that culminate in a comprehensive team project. The group project, representing the core of our evaluation process, is grounded in the principles explored and deliberated upon throughout the coursework.

• Group project (pass/fail): Students will be asked to develop a business idea for the EU market following the concepts and theory presented during the course. The project will be structured according to POCD+ and strategy to address specific EU market (individual country, staged, or community). Deliverables: Short report and presentation (class pitch) 75%
• In class exercises: the students will be asked to compile two/three mini projects in small groups or pair during or following class activities. 15%
• Class attendence 

For students not regularly attending classes, the final grade for this course is based entirely on a final written examination (100%) comprising open questions related to the mandatory reference materials, and on articles, presentations, and further readings included in the syllabus. 

• Slides, articles and other materials (to be found on BBoard) 
• Selected readings listed in the Course Syllabus

Mandatory materials:

• Full Book: Gabriele Suder and Johan Lindeque, “Doing Business in Europe,” THIRD EDITION, 2018, Sage Publication. 

Further readings (all materials assigned to attending students):

• Selected Readings listed in the Course Syllabus
• Slides, articles and other materials uploaded on BBoard.