Major / Minor Technology and Entrepreneurship (HIR/BEng) March 16, 2016

Content & Career prospects Content Profound insight in the nature and particularities of entrepreneurship both in terms of concepts/models and in practical elaboration (business plan exercise) Profound insight in the growth challenges of entrepreneurial / intrapreneurial ventures, with an emphasis on knowledge intensive entrepreneurship in a rapidly changing technology-based environment Profound insight into the management of technology (innovation) and the importance of knowledge creation and exploitation Career prospects This major prepares you to become involved into venturing. Ample career possibilities (broad background in economics/ management): Managerial positions in smaller and larger companies (CxOs) Consultancy Research units of firms, financial institutions and professional federations Public administration

Students follow the core courses (18 credits) and select one elective (6 credits) Core courses Strategic Management of Technology (6 credits) Technology Trends and Opportunities (6 credits) Technology Entrepreneurship and New Business Development (6 credits) Electives Network Industries and the Digital Economy (6 credits) Economics of New Technologies (6 credits)  Students following the Technology and Entrepreneurship Major have to choose a Minor in a different field. Recommended: International Business Major/Minor Technology and Entrepreneurship

Technology Entrepreneurship and New Business Development This course is a dedicated variant of the existing course E&NBD in which students develop (in teams) a full business plan. The course starts with a series of lectures (2 ECTS) which introduce all the ingredients of a business plan (including relevant concepts/models stemming from the literature). Within a next phase, ‘multidisciplinary’ teams are formed which fully develop a business plan (2 ECTS). We not only provide coaching during this trajectory; the development of the business plan is accompanied with a series of lectures on ‘advanced’ topics relevant for starting (technololgy) entrepreneurs (real options/adaptation/ simulation/…) (2 ECTS). (The lectures are in part differentiated from the existing course Entrepreneurship and New Business Development)

Strategic Management of Technology This course focuses on how established firms (incumbents) firms can build on technological innovation to create a competitive advantage. Focal topics include: o strategies of (technological) innovation on the firm level (including their implementation- e.g. open innovation/reconciling exploration/exploitation; addressing disruptive technological change,…) o the role/variety of IP strategies that firms can deploy to appropriate the benefits of technological innovation.

Technology Trends and Opportunities The course consists of three parts (each +/- 2 ECTS): A series of lectures on technological trends/developments (high end, see Visionary seminaries of IMEC) and their (potential) impact within major fields (ICT, Bio-engineering, Health, Materials, etc.) Classes focusing on relevant models and tools to assess and translate technological opportunities into economic activity: forecasting/trend modelling, foresight techniques, scenario development (in collaboration with Fac. IrW). Assignment oriented at modelling trends and opportunities (teams).

Network Industries and the Digital Economy This course studies the nature of competition in digital markets and network industries. It covers the pricing and market segmentation strategies for information goods, the role of consumer inertia due to switching and search costs, strategies for network goods and standards competition, and platform competition in two-sided markets. The course uses game-theoretic models and empirical applications, with a particular emphasis on telecommunications and (de)regulation, internet, e-commerce, etc.

Economics of New Technologies The course covers the economics of innovation and R&D, intellectual property rights (including patent design, licensing and pooling, and intellectual property in the digital economy). The course will help the student to understand the incentives for innovation, the tools for appropriating the returns to innovation, the basis and operation of university – industry collaboration, the challenges in financing innovation, and the reasons and tools for science and innovation policy. The course uses game-theoretic models in industrial organization or other areas, and includes applications to various industries such as health, digital and green technologies. The relevance of theory will be illustrated through empirical case studies.

Courses – General Information Courses are taught in English: English language skills are essential for most career perspectives Allows international student intake (MBE major) Organization of the Courses: Requires active participation by students: interactive and rewarding Courses combine theory and applications Courses involve (team) projects/assignments in which theory is applied to business cases/industries (e.g. real life case discussions) Technology Entrepreneurship & New business development: multidisciplinary teams work on the development of a full business plan during two semesters Most courses evaluate students on a combination of papers/presentations, an individual exam, and take into account active class participations

Individually written Thesis, about / words Scientifically founded analysis of subject matter within the domain Extensive list of topics with research questions and recommended scientific readings. Helps students to start the thesis quickly. Transparent allocation based on ‘best match’ topic, student, and coach/supervisor But substantial room for development of (sensible and interesting) own topics Theses are expected/recommended to be written in English To foster English language skills To allow presenting the thesis to a foreign audience To allow benefitting from the guidance by our growing staff of foreign PhD students MSI department will provide info sessions on academic research methods: statistical analysis (STATA) and case study methodology Master’s Thesis Technology and Entrepreneurship