Principled Entrepreneurial Decisions
This course will challenge the next generation of leaders and entrepreneurs to think critically about how their personal values and principles inform the difficult decisions they will have to make as they start or grow their business. The course will first equip participants with frameworks to crystalize their own values and principles. A selection of readings and case studies will provide participants with tangible examples of the challenges other entrepreneurs have faced. Each class will be highly immersive, featuring conversations with entrepreneurial guest speakers, break-out sessions and role plays. Through conversations with case protagonists and each other, participants will leave the class more prepared to navigate the ethical dilemmas that they may encounter during their professional lives. Join us to cultivate a culture of ethical leadership, drive sustainable growth, and thrive in today's competitive business landscape. Apply now to unlock your potential as a principled leader in entrepreneurship.
Target Groups: Students, Founders
Area of Focus: Leadership & Enablement
Next Date: May 5, 2025 - June 4, 2025
Times offered per year : Every semester, beginning of April or October
Duration: 6-7 workshop days (mandatory participation) and preparation of the cases (questions in advance)
ECTS : 6 ECTS (accreditation depends on the study program, Campus TUM ID: WI001141)
Language: English
Scope: 40h in class / + case preparation
Learning Goals: Have a framework for navigating tough situations, empowering yourself to craft personalized strategies for you and your company, get practical case examples and exercises to guide your entrepreneurial journey
About the program
The Principled Entrepreneurial Decisions program, as also taught at Stanford, offers a holistic approach to addressing the challenges that entrepreneurs encounter when building startups and managing companies. By focusing on the interplay between personal values and decision-making, participants gain invaluable insights into how instilling values and principles can significantly enhance the quality of their decisions. Moreover, the program sheds light on the lens through which investors evaluate entrepreneurial ventures, providing participants with a deeper understanding of the criteria that guide investment decisions.
Furthermore, participants delve into the principles that Angels and Venture Capitalists (VCs) use as the foundation for their investment strategies, equipping them with the knowledge to navigate fundraising processes effectively. Additionally, the program explores how entrepreneurial principles can be leveraged to empower formal instruments of company culture, craft effective strategies, and scale businesses using key metrics.
As part of the program's experiential learning approach, participants engage in live case studies featuring renowned companies like Flix, ProGlove, askLio, Fernride, Groupon, SevDesk, Inveox with more to be announced. These real-world examples offer participants practical insights and actionable strategies to apply in their own entrepreneurial endeavors. Join us in the Principled Entrepreneurial Decisions program to embark on a transformative journey towards building sustainable, values-driven ventures that make a lasting impact. Apply now to seize this opportunity for personal and professional growth.
Workshop Dates Summer Semester 25
All workshop dates are mandatory (for ECTS). You need to attend all case sessions and prepare the cases (questions in advance). See FAQ below.
Workshop dates are onsite & in person in Garching (UnternehmerTUM, Lichtenbergstr 6, room ANTON):
- May 5 , 9:30 am - 4 pm // askLio case
- May 6 , 9:30 am - 4 pm // Secfix case
- May 7, 9:30 am - 4 pm // PROGLOVE case
- May 12, 9:30 am - 4 pm // NaVis case
- May 13, 9:30 am - 4 pm // VC & 10X Founders case
- May 15, 9:30 am - 4 pm // ParkHere case
- May 28, 9:30 am - 4 pm // KONUX & RYVER case
- all workshop dates are mandatory (for ECTS)
- Final presentations 3rd & 4th June
"Dominik and I participated in the Principled Entrepreneurship seminar 3 years ago. We explored the huge potential of incorporating values and principles into our company early on. As our company has grown, principles have become the foundation for our teams behavior and decision making."
- Maria Sievert, founder and Managing Partner at INVEOX
Application
This course is open for aspiring entrepreneurs. Founding teams are welcome. Each of the team members needs to apply separately. Students who are interested in Venture Capital and decision-making of founders and investors are also welcome. Please indicate in the application.
FAQs
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What are the grades based on?
Grades (for ECTS) are calculated based on the weighted scores for the following deliverables:
- active participation in class (25%)
- answering the questions to the case assignments (25%)
- final presentation (25%) and
- written reflection paper (25%)
If you fail in one part you may repeat only the part in which you have failed in the running semester, not in the next semester.
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Can I apply without a team?
Yes. If you are applying with a team, please make sure that all team members enter the identical name of your project. If you are a single/future founder mark "single".
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Who can benefit from this program?
This program is ideal for aspiring entrepreneurs, startup founders, and business leaders who are looking to enhance their decision-making skills, cultivate ethical leadership cultures, and understand the criteria investors use to evaluate ventures. It is also valuable for individuals interested in venture capital and the principles that guide investment decisions.
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What topics are covered in the program?
The program covers a wide range of topics, including strategic decision-making, values-driven leadership, investor perspectives, scaling strategies, and the principles underlying investment decisions by Angels and Venture Capitalists (VCs). Participants also explore how entrepreneurial principles can empower company culture, inform strategic planning, and drive sustainable growth.
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How is the program structured?
The program is structured around interactive workshops, real-world case studies, discussions with industry experts, and live cases with renowned companies like Flix, ProGlove, askLio, Fernride, Groupon, SevDesk, Inveox. Participants engage in experiential learning experiences designed to provide practical insights and actionable strategies.
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