How EnterpriseTECH comes together as a unique learning experience
Each cohort has the same format: Launch Night, the 40-hour lecture and workshop intensive, the research spell (including market research) on your projects and three supervisions helping you relate the taught material to your project, Then there is the assignment prep, Pitch Night and assignment submission.
You are assigned to teams and projects about a week before the programme starts. You find out which project you’ll be working on and who your fellow teammates are when we introduce you via the Project Pack.
Your team’s challenge is to investigate the commercial potential of the technology described in your project pack and what a route to market might be. You’re supported through this process with the guidance of a business supervisor and regular meetings with the inventor team.
A Certificate of Completion is awarded when you successfully complete the programme.
Key elements
- Launch Night
- 40-hour lecture and workshop intensive
- research spell on your projects
- three supervisions
- assignment prep
- Pitch Night
- assignment submission
The lecture curriculum
Our lectures and workshops are delivered by Cambridge Judge Business School faculty, staff, fellows and many specially-invited expert speakers. The content is entirely bespoke, tailored for the practical nature of the programme. While there are many general principles of entrepreneurship, the overall content is has a strong STEM- focus around the evaluation the commercial feasibility of bringing new STEM technologies inventions to market.
Venturing into entrepreneurship: beginners notes
Entrepreneurship offers tremendous value by opening doors to innovation, growth, and impact. When you cultivate an entrepreneurial mindset and skillset, you can effectively turn your ideas into successful businesses, understand the commercial potential of your work, secure funding, build valuable industry networks, and enhance your professional abilities. In this first theme, we dive into the theoretical foundations, practical skills, and real-life experiences of accomplished entrepreneurs.
Entrepreneurial mindsets and amazing teams
Learn to build and lead teams with talks and workshops that offer tools and insights. Establish a culture of clear goals, unified commitment, and team enjoyment. Self-analysis and interpretation of cognitive and personality profiles can help identify areas for growth and improve understanding of strengths and weaknesses.
Balancing innovation and legal protection
For early-stage ventures, protecting their intellectual property is a number one priority. Intellectual property encompasses a wide range of assets, including patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets, all of which are vital to building a competitive advantage and attracting investment. At the same time, entrepreneurs must balance their need for legal protection with the need for continued innovation. Too much emphasis on protecting their intellectual property can stifle creativity, while too little can leave their innovations vulnerable to competitors.
Where to start in evaluating business ideas
When it comes to early-stage STEM-based ventures, evaluating business ideas is just one piece of the puzzle. In this competitive landscape, entrepreneurs need to ensure that their ideas have a viable market and a solid business model before investing significant time and resources.
One tried and tested strategy for evaluating business ideas is to conduct market research. This involves identifying the target market, understanding customer needs and preferences, and assessing the competition. By gathering data on the market size, growth potential, and key trends, entrepreneurs can gain a better understanding of the viability of their business idea and make informed decisions about how to proceed.
Business models, customer profiling and branding
Market research techniques like customer profiling and macroeconomic analysis help pinpoint potential customer desires, guiding the development of a compelling value proposition. Using tools like the business model canvas offers a visual overview of critical business elements, such as customer segments and revenue streams, aiding in identifying opportunities and gaps. The goal is to achieve product-market fit, ensuring the product meets customer needs while remaining financially viable. This process requires continuous analysis to adapt to changing market conditions. Branding and messaging are key to distinguishing a business, building a unique identity that resonates with customers. This involves selecting a visual language that establishes a psychological connection, fostering trust and loyalty.
The landscape for start-up funding
The landscape for start-up funding In the UK, start-ups typically go through several rounds of funding to fuel their growth and development. The first round of funding is known as pre-seed funding, which typically comes from the founder’s personal savings or friends and family. This funding is used to validate the business idea, develop a minimum viable product, and establish the start-up. Once the pre-seed stage is complete, start-ups can seek seed funding from angel investors or venture capital firms. Seed funding is typically used to fund early-stage growth and to expand the business. This funding round is usually focused on proving the concept, demonstrating market traction, and generating early revenue.
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