Faculty: INSTITUTE OF GRADUATE PGROGRAMS This major provides a comprehensive understanding of the principles and practices of entrepreneurship and innovation within the technology sector. Students will explore key areas such as startup creation, product development, technology commercialization, and venture capital. The program emphasizes creativity, problem-solving, and business acumen to prepare students for careers as tech entrepreneurs, innovators, and leaders in the rapidly evolving tech industry. **Learning Objectives:** - Understand the fundamentals of entrepreneurship and innovation in technology. - Develop skills in identifying market opportunities and creating tech startups. - Learn techniques for product development, prototyping, and commercialization. - Explore funding strategies, including venture capital and crowdfunding. - Understand the role of intellectual property and legal considerations in tech innovation. - Analyze challenges and opportunities in scaling tech businesses globally. - Develop leadership and teamwork skills for managing innovative projects. **Major Outline:** 1. **Introduction to Entrepreneurship and Innovation** - Overview of entrepreneurship, innovation, and their role in the tech industry. 2. **Idea Generation and Market Validation** - Techniques for identifying market needs and validating business ideas. - Principles of lean startup methodology and customer discovery. 3. **Product Development and Prototyping** - Fundamentals of designing, developing, and testing tech products. - Techniques for rapid prototyping and iterative development. 4. **Technology Commercialization** - Strategies for bringing tech innovations to market. - Techniques for pricing, distribution, and go-to-market strategies. 5. **Funding and Venture Capital** - Study of funding options, including angel investors, venture capital, and crowdfunding. - Techniques for pitching to investors and securing funding. 6. **Intellectual Property and Legal Considerations** - Principles of patents, trademarks, and copyrights in tech innovation. - Techniques for protecting intellectual property and navigating legal challenges. 7. **Scaling and Growth Strategies** - Exploration of strategies for scaling tech startups globally. - Techniques for managing growth, operations, and international expansion. 8. **Innovation Management and Leadership** - Principles of fostering a culture of innovation within organizations. - Techniques for leading cross-functional teams and managing innovative projects. 9. **Emerging Technologies and Trends** - Study of cutting-edge technologies such as AI, blockchain, and IoT. - Techniques for leveraging emerging trends to drive innovation. 10. **Capstone Project** - Real-world tech startup project to apply learned skills. - Techniques for delivering a comprehensive business plan and prototype. **Assessment Methods:** - Business plan development and pitch presentations. - Written assignments on innovation strategies and market analysis. - Group projects and startup simulations. - Participation in tech incubators or accelerators. **Recommended Textbooks:** - "The Lean Startup" by Eric Ries. - "Zero to One" by Peter Thiel. - "Business Model Generation" by Alexander Osterwalder and Yves Pigneur. - "Innovation and Entrepreneurship" by Peter F. Drucker. **Prerequisites:** No prior experience required, but an interest in technology and entrepreneurship is recommended. Suitable for students in business, engineering, and related fields. **Major Duration:** Typically 2-3 years, including hands-on projects, internships, and capstone experiences. **Certification:** Graduates may receive a degree in Entrepreneurship and Innovation in Technology or a related field, depending on the program and institution. **Target Audience:** Aspiring tech entrepreneurs, innovators, and professionals seeking to launch or lead technology-driven ventures. This major equips students with the creative, technical, and business skills needed to excel in entrepreneurship and innovation, driving the development of cutting-edge technologies and successful tech startups.