Facts and figures
The programme at a glancePart of School
Programme information
What to expectAbout the programme
Next to the start of a company we pay attention to the entrepreneur as a person. During the process you show that you can reflect on your individual entrepreneurial mindset and behaviour. You also need to address this attitude of your team members and other teams.
Method
This exchange programme is based on the stage gate approach. Each stage gate needs to be passed to be able to continue. Per stage gate there is one re-sit/retry. The 4 stage gates are: Big Idea, Business Plan, Learning Loop 1 and Learning Loop 2.
You will have to take risk and come up with surprising solutions. From all participants we expect an open and innovative mindset, commitment, a proactive entrepreneurial attitude and willingness to collaborate with others.
Students will acquire theoretical knowledge in interactive toolbox sessions and workshops to start and run a company. Toolbox sessions are based on co-creation among students and lecturers. Workshops are initiated and organised by students.
Type of assessment
There are no exams. At the end of block 1 a Business Plan must be presented with enough quality to continue in block 2. In block 2 students must have an international business up and running.
Learning outcomes
If you have successfully completed this exchange programme then you are able to:
- Analyse the business environment in order to be able to develop a viable business proposition.
- Navigate the path of setting up and running a business.
- Develop an entrepreneurial mindset and skillset which can be applied to future ventures.
- Demonstrate proactiveness, the capability to think innovatively, and the ability to work with others in a productive way.
Calendar
There is no fixed calendar available, as students need to successfully complete one stage gate before they can start with the next one.
In the first block you will focus on generating your Big Idea and working on your Business Plan. In the second block you will continue improving your Business Plan and you will organise both Learning Loop 1 and Learning Loop 2. Part of these Learning Loops are organising workshops to collect and share relevant knowlegde.
In general there will be 2 classroom sessions of 2/3 hours per week and one coaching session in a small team with a lecturer.
Awarding
After completing your exchange programme at Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences, you will receive a:
- Transcript of records
Course related questions?
For course related questions, please contact Ms. Sharon Dzwairo (content representative/programme coordinator) and Ms. Tineke van der Gaast (International Academic Coordinator, Rotterdam Business School).
Four stage gates
You have to complete all stage gates successfully to gain the 30 ECTS.Block 1
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Big Idea and Business Plan
Big Idea and Business Plan
There is no fixed calendar available, as students need to successfully complete one stage gate before they can start with the next one. However, in the first block you will focus on generating your Big Idea and working on your Business Plan.
Steps in the process - block 1:
- Formulate individual learning goals
- Perform a thorough environmental analysis on a macro- and meso level, signaling factors that form opportunities or threats to a start-up to generate your Big Idea.
- Indentify a potential Big Idea based on the macro- and meso analysis that could form the basis of the start-up.
- Initiate sessions and meetings with peers, teachers and external parties to brainstorm about and get feedback on the Big Idea.
- Provide peers with valuable feedback for your Business Plan.
- Write and present your Business Plan.
In general there will be 2 classroom sessions of 2/3 hours per week and one coaching session in a small team with a lecturer.
Learning materials
- Disciplined Entrepreneurship, Bill Aulet & William Aulet, ISBSN 9781118692288 2.
- The lean startup, Eric Ries, ISBN 9780670921607
Recommended, not mandatory (block 1 and 2).
Block 2
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Learning Loop 1 and Learning Loop 2
Learning Loop 1 and Learning Loop 2
There is no fixed calendar available, as students need to successfully complete one stage gate before they can start with the next one. However, in the second block you will continue improving your Business Plan and you will focus on organising Learning Loop 1 and Learning Loop 2.
Steps in the process - block 2:
- Organise Learning Loop 1: Implement and continue improving the Business Plan and create cash flow and generate relevant feedback based on actionable metrics. Focus must be on proof of concept.
- To facilitate group learning, students organise a workshop to collect and share relevant knowledge.
- Organise Learning Loop 2: Implement and continue improving the Business Plan and create cash flow based on actionable metrics. Focus can be on proof of concept or scaling.
- Organise a workshop to collect and share relevant knowledge.
- Evaluate and reflect upon the success of the start-up both on a content- and a process level (individual) based on supportive facts (portfolio).
In general there will be 2 classroom sessions of 2/3 hours per week and one coaching session in a small team with a lecturer.
Learning materials
- Disciplined Entrepreneurship, Bill Aulet & William Aulet, ISBSN 9781118692288 2.
- The lean startup, Eric Ries, ISBN 9780670921607
Recommended, not mandatory (block 1 and 2).