Study Guide

Objectives (course unit)

Through this course, students will understand and learn from the local and global ecosystems that support and spur business growth. The students will learn how to develop a business within various growth ecosystems. The students will manage to select and secure funding from the available funding landscape, such as e.g. local and foreign, public and private funding sources, crowdfunding, and venture capital. The students will be able to interact with different public and private organizations supporting business growth ecosystems. The students will be able to steer the shift from initial entrepreneurial activities towards sustainable entrepreneurial-driven activities embedded in the respective growth communities. Students will be able to establish connections to the important stakeholders and know-how relevant to growing a business.

Content (course unit)

The course includes the following subjects:

- Growth funding sources: Local and foreign governmental and private funding source, venture capital, smart money

- HR for growth: Skills, knowledge, and credentials needed for successful human management in growing organizations

- Public and private plus regional, national, and international organizations supporting business growth

- Growth Know-how: best practices and experts plus available mentorships

- Business growth networks, specialized communities, and innovative landscape

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1-2) (course unit)

The student is familiar with basic concepts of business growth ecosystems. He/ she is able to list different ecosystems in which a growing business is operating. The student can identify ecosystem frameworks, such as e.g regulatory measures, networks, technology and processes that have an impact on a growing business organization.

Assessment criteria, good (3-4) (course unit)

The student is can operate within advanced business growth ecosystems. He/ she is able to cooperate and interact within diverse ecosystems in which a growing business is operating. The student can take advantage of ecosystem frameworks, such as e.g. regulatory measures, networks, technology and processes for the benefit of a growing business organization. The student actively promotes networking and integration of a business within the relevant growth ecosystems.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5) (course unit)

The student is can operate within sophisticated business growth ecosystems. He/ she is able to interact, develop and influence diverse ecosystems in which a growing business is operating. The student can navigate and have an impact ecosystem framework, such as e.g. regulatory measures, networks, technology and processes. He/she can utilize these assets for bringing considerable advantages to a growing business organization. The student actively promotes networking and integration of a business within the relevant growth ecosystems. The student critically reflects on his/her practices as an emerging entrepreneur.

Assessment scale

0-5