Venture Creation Course

The essence of sustainability and the concept of sustainability are examined from the perspective of its triad – business, society, and the environment. Goals and strategies for sustainability from the UN and EU are presented, as well as their transformation into key EU policies, drawing parallels with business development in their context.

Venture capitalists often state that they invest in the management team, not the technology, that means that success of a startup depends on the team. Before starting venture creation, it is important to conclude founder’s agreement which is taking into account all issues of team work. Every startup needs a good team to be successful in realizing its idea. The team should possess the best skills for its management. Managing teams requires an accurate assessment of situations where teamwork is necessary, as well as precise selection of suitable team members and the management of factors for team effectiveness. In the current topic, the key roles necessary for a team to be successful will be clarified, along with the factors related to team effectiveness. Models, methods, and techniques that are necessary for selecting an effective team that contributes to the successful launch and stabilization of the company will be discussed.

With this topic, students will be able to learn about successful business models applicable to startup companies, the fundamental elements of a business model, and how to create your own successful business model. You will also learn how to apply your new technological methods in the most market-effective manner, and how to prepare the perfect business plan to aid you in finding the investors necessary for realizing your idea.

It examines crucial questions such as identifying customer preferences and needs, understanding competitor strategies, assessing market size and growth potential, and predicting future demand. This topic covers methodologies for data collection, interpretation, and drawing actionable insights from market research. Additionally, it delves into the significance of market segmentation, targeting specific consumer groups, and developing effective marketing strategies based on the acquired insights. The topic aims to equip learners with the analytical tools necessary to make informed business decisions, capitalize on opportunities, and mitigate risks within diverse market environments.

This topic examines the product and its life cycle within the context of the sustainability concept and the transition to a circular economy. The topic presents various methods for calculating the cost of the product, and this is done within the context of the discussed issues.

The lecture covers the fundamental aspects related to the process of attracting and retaining new customers. Techniques and strategies are presented that a company can utilize to attract potential clients. The main communication channels and opportunities for presenting products and services are discussed. Additionally, marketing is emphasized as an important component of every startup business and a prerequisite for the growth of the newly established company.

An overall plan of the organization and the conduct of financial analysis within a company is presented. Key indicators characterizing the state and activities of the business are discussed. Relationships and dependencies between the examined indicators are presented. The topic also addresses start-up companies as subjects for rational investment.

This topic covers issues related to the registration of a commercial company, the tax policy in a European country, and the legal aspects of the new company’s operations. Various possibilities for financing entrepreneurial activities are discussed, including both loan financing and funds from European Structural and Investment Funds. Opportunities for practical training and gaining experience for young entrepreneurs through the ‘Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs’ program are also presented. The content of this topic will be adjusted to region specifics.

From this topic, students will learn about the different types of investors, how investment funds operate, and how to find a suitable investor for realizing a startup business. Students will also become familiar with various options for financing a startup business and what the possibilities are for funding startups.