Spring 2021 Situation
In accordance with the university policy to help fight the current COVID-19 pandemic, MCEI and the Chair of SME Reserach and Entrepreneurship moved its teaching efforts online for the fall semester 2020. You can expect all sessions to take place on Zoom and you will receive all the relevant information as well as exams online. Unfortunatly, this also means that networking, which usually represents a major part of the entrepreneurship experience we offer, cannot take place like it used to. Therefore we encourage you to make use of our digital networking opportunities as well as look out for other opportunities in the ecosystem. We are looking forward to a great semester with you and we are certain you embark on an amazing entrepreneurial journey.
Course Outline
The course encourages the further development of student business ideas from all faculties of the University of Mannheim. Within the course format, students develop their own already existing business ideas individually or as a start-up team (after consultation). Milestones tailored to each startup are set at the beginning of the course. Coaching by MCEI employees to develop innovative products and services is ensured throughout the semester. The MCEI DesignLAB offers the student founders room for the further realization of their projects. In a workshop at the start of the course, basic tools for business model development and how to reach investment readiness (angel financing, VC) will be taught. By the end of the class, the startups will pitch in front of experts and investors at a demo day.
Students who do not have an advanced business idea yet should follow MAN 450 instead.
Learning Outcomes
The course fosters the further development of your own entrepreneurial project. You will acquire and deepen your entrepreneurial skills. We start by a brief recap of the basic concepts and connections of creativity, entrepreneurial thinking, and innovation. Most importantly, you will further advance your pitch deck and the business plan of your already existing startup project. Growing your presentation skills is essential to pitch your startup in front of an expert jury on demo day by the end of the course.
Registration & Final Course Decision
Mandatory registration procedure/ application: Please get in contact with one of the course instructors in order to apply. Only students who have an advanced business idea should apply for this course. When your business idea is approved by the course instructors please register via the Student Portal prior to Kickoff.
Attendance (mandatory): All students are required to attend all classes.
There is no way to participate in MAN 453 when you do not attend the Kick-Off Meeting! Students who do not want to take the class for credit should announce this prior to the initial theory exam. You can also participate to receive an MCEI certificate instead of a grade.
Place & Time
- Check the schedule for detailed information.
Assessment
- Exam (20%) (individual)
- Final pitch presentation (40%) (team)
- Final business plan/report and continuous assessment (40%) (team) [2 performance appraisals along the way of 5% each + 30% final documentation]
Persons in Charge
Course Coordinator: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Startup Consultants: Dr. Bettina Müller, Nora Zybura
Supervising Professor: Prof. Dr. Michael Woywode
Course Load and Language
ECTS: 3
Language: English
Readings & Resources
Required Readings:
- Ash Maurya (2016). Scaling Lean: Mastering the Key Metrics for Startup Growth
Course Materials: All course material (where applicable) will be provided via the MCEI Group 'MAN 453 Thinking Beyond Boxes Spring 2021'. We will not use ILIAS at any point in this class. Please do not be irritated by the ILIAS option not being available.
Additional Information
Please note: We will be taking pictures in some of the sessions of the course for documentation and future marketing measures in the context of future courses and our MCEI formats. You will be asked to sign a relief form during the first session. If you do not want to sign the relief form, we kindly ask you to stay out of the camara focus. We will annouce, when we are taking pictures.
Preliminary Schedule (Spring 2021). Please check back for updates.
March 9 | Online | 10am - 2pm
Kick-off Session (Part 1)
The day is an intensive workshop for all students of the course. You will present your projects and we will cover all details for the course
Note: Attendance required to participate in MAN 453 - no exceptions being made.
Attention: The kick-off will be held on Zoom. Make sure to register on Portal2 so we can contact you about the login details. You will receive the login details prior to the first session on your university email address. If you have trouble registering for the course, please contact the course administrator.
March 10 | Online | 1pm - 3pm
Kick-off Session (Part 2)
In the second part of the Kick-off Session we will cover all the course content in lecture-style. This will get you started on core conceptes for your projects and the exam.
March 10 - March 16 | Online | Individual
First meetings
We will have an individual meeting with all teams to kick of the projects. You will choose a slot from a list of appointment opportunites that suits you best. You get all the details during the Kick-Off session.
March 16 | Online | 5pm - 6:30pm
Startup Lounge #84
Get-together in form our our Startup Lounge Series.
March 3 | Café L3 | 7:30pm - 10pm
Startup Lounge
April 7-8 (optional) | University of Mannheim | Full Day
Q-Summit 2020
The fourth iteration of our very own entrepreneurship conference at the University of Mannheim, Q-Summit will take place. It is the biggest conference on the topic organized by students. Get to know the regional and national startup scence there and show your Mannheim spirit. Get you tickets at https://q-summit.com/.
April 13 | Online | 10am - 2pm
Status Update
You will give us a short update about your progess so far. It is also an opportunity for you to practice and get feedback.
April 21 UPDATE | Online | 4pm - 5pm
Exam
The short exam will cover the content of the lecture and the logic behind Ash Maurya's Scaling Lean book.
April 20 | Online | 5pm - 6:30pm
Startup Lounge #85
Get-together in form our our Startup Lounge Series.
May 4 | Online | 5pm - 6:30pm
Startup Lounge #86
Get-together in form our our Startup Lounge Series.
May 18 | Online | 10am - 2pm
Status Update
You will give us a short update about your progress so far. It is also an opportunity for you to practice and get feedback which you should incorporate until your pitch.
May 18 | Online | 5pm - 6:30pm
Startup Lounge #87
Get-together in form our our Startup Lounge Series.
June 1 | Online | 10am - 2pm
Pitches
You will pitch live in front of an expert jury. Afterwards we will have the final ceremony and celebrate in the context of the Startup Lounge Special.
June 1 | Online | 5pm - 6:30pm
Startup Lounge #88
Get-together in form our our Startup Lounge Series.
July 2 | 11:59pm
Your written documentation is due. No exceptions will be made! You are required to hand in your report to us via email. Can send it to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
