COMM 280 - Entrepreneurship
Entrepreneurship involves creativity, critical thinking and a commitment to research and develop new ideas and associated business models. Entrepreneurs, in both startups and corporations (also known as, intrapreneurs), possess a mindset and skillset to identify, articulate and solve compelling problems. This interactive course provides an introduction to the fundamental principles, concepts, and frameworks essential for aspiring venture founders. Additionally, it explores the typical challenges encountered in identifying customer needs, validating product ideas, and refining business models. Students will learn how to identify desirable and viable opportunities; experiment, prototype and test market-driven ideas; form a founding team; and, design innovative business models. In simulated ‘startup’ teams, comprised of students from all faculties, you will apply the concepts of ideation, customer discovery, experimentation, prototyping, and proposing a new venture.
The course is a strongly recommended course for COMM/COMR 386M (NEW: Green Entrepreneurship and Sustainable Startups) and COMM466/APSC 486 (New Venture Design).
Eligibility: This course is open to BCom students in Years 2 and 3, and non-BCom students in Years 2, 3, and 4.
Learning objectives
By the end of this experiential course, students will be able to:
- Understand key considerations, opportunities and challenges for entrepreneurs and innovators.
- Gain experience with common entrepreneurial methods, tools and resources.
- Develop an initial plan for an innovative entrepreneurial venture.
- Explore your potential as an entrepreneur and intrapreneur.
Student success
"It was extremely helpful to learn a bit about every aspect of starting a business. Taking the class made things that seemed insurmountable before seem completely doable."- Essex Prescott
"Entrepreneurship isn't a career, it isn't a job, it's a way of thinking, a lifestyle."
- Kinsey Powell