MSc Entrepreneurship, Innovation & Technology

This class is important in terms of presenting an introduction for MSc students to the entrepreneurial process, from creative thinking to the development of a new business concept. This class has further thematic additions based on consultation with industry, specifically prototyping and storyboarding.

Mindsets are at the core of everything that people think and do. Therefore, if we want to steer entrepreneurial behaviour towards success, we need to start by shaping the mindsets of those who start ventures.  From government agencies to investment panels, entrepreneurial mindsets are quickly becoming the buzzword that everyone wants to know about.  But what are those mindsets? And when are they a force for good or otherwise?

In this research-based class, you'll be exposed first hand to the daily struggles and successes of early-stage entrepreneurs and will be tasked with assessing their mindsets, how those mindsets are shaped by context and how, in turn, they shape the behaviour of the entrepreneur. You'll take a fascinating journey through the latest academic thinking on mindsets and will apply that thinking to the practice you observe in the entrepreneurs you will be following. Theory and practice will inform each other as you discover the often hidden power of the mind on human fears, goals, failures and achievements.

This module provides a firm foundation in scholarly, practitioner and policy perspectives for "mega-trends" in entrepreneurship, innovation and technology. This is a student-driven class, where you'll develop research and presentation skills, and learn about cutting-edge developments such as digital health technology, the sharing economy and social innovation, while also learning how entrepreneurial ecosystems function.

As increasing volumes of data are collected and made available to the public, identifying opportunities through analysis of data is a necessary skill for the contemporary entrepreneur. This course will empower students with a range of different analytic methods and software tools that will allow them to successfully identify high-value data-drive entrepreneurial opportunities.

This module is designed to build knowledge of the processes underpinning innovation. The class will provide an introduction to the main concepts and frameworks related to definitions, processes, strategies, organisation and sources of innovation. Towards the end of the class, new trends in innovation, such as social innovation and frugal innovation, will also be covered.

This class addresses how startups and small businesses source and manage finances. Finance is a core function within most organisations and is especially pivotal for startups and SMEs that need to carefully navigate to survive and grow. The class is a core Semester 2 module. It builds on Semester 1 modules that address the foundational elements required to develop a promising new business concept (e.g. Creativity and New Venture Planning, Innovation, Entrepreneurial Mindset, etc.) by bringing in the finance toolkit required to make a successful business out of a good idea.

Entrepreneurial leadership is distinct and different from leadership found in large corporates. (Röschke, 2018). Entrepreneurial leaders tend to be more adept at exploring and exploiting opportunities in the marketplace and dealing with constant change and competition.

This module will help participants better understand their own leadership style and also understand the key characteristics and behaviours of entrepreneurial leaders. Entrepreneurial management shows similarities to management functions in established organisations – strategic planning, marketing, etc. However, is it really necessary in a start-up situation? This module will explore the importance of entrepreneurial management and how start-ups and SMEs can benefit from having a programmed approach to growing the business.

There is a growth in the number of entrepreneurs starting businesses with social and environmental purposes. This module examines ideas and practices for addressing social needs. These include social enterprises, collaborative innovation networks, hubs, digital platforms, and support intermediaries. The module is centred around how students can start their own social entrepreneurship projects. The module will consist of a selection of presentations and discussions around social innovation and social entrepreneurship.

The Internationalisation & Growth lab recognises that in today’s globalised business world, ventures often face international competition and international opportunities from inception. Therefore internationalisation is no longer the premise of larger, more established corporations but it also happens in new and small firms. Identifying and selecting international markets for entry requires considering a number of factors and planning accordingly. This lab will equip students with the critical and applied understanding needed to plan international market selection and entry.

New technologies and scientific breakthroughs have the potential to ‘change the game’ for businesses, leading to new products and services. SMEs cannot leave evolving technologies to the large corporates and hope to play catch up. SMEs need to appreciate how new technologies can be used to give them a competitive advantage and bring them new customers. This module explores the role of new technologies and innovation in different industry settings to critically analyse how SMEs can take advantage of disruptive innovation.

The Virtual Incubator Project is the culmination of the programme. Here, you'll be expected to put into practice all of the skills and knowledge developed over the previous nine months in order to bring a business proposition to an investment panel. You're expected to identify a suitable business idea, use primary and secondary market research for validation, and demonstrate your ability to develop the infrastructure to operationalise and grow your business. It's an accelerated incubation program run in partnership with the Entrepreneurship Accelerator Hub at the Royal Bank of Scotland. 

Over the six-week period, you'll work to go from an initial idea to investable business opportunity. In weeks 4 and 6 you'll present a working proposal to different investor audiences with the final pitch in week 6 being delivered to the Scottish EDGE panel. During the incubation period, you'll occasionally have access to ‘hot-desk’ facilities at the Entrepreneurial Hub in the city centre, and we encourage you to network, learn and support the other entrepreneurs-in-residence. 

Most of the six-week period will be self-directed time for you to research and validate your ideas. Formal activities will predominately take place on Wednesdays, where you'll attend workshops, soundboard sessions with the academic team, and social events.