Introduction to Venture Entrepreneurship

This course will teach students the basic knowledge and skills they need to start their own businesses. In addition to meeting experts, such as
entrepreneurs who can be as role models and investor, students will create and pitch a business plan, which is necessary for starting their own
business. The top winners of the mock pitch contest will enter the 2024 Shinshu Venture Contest. This course will be taught by a faculty member with
practical experience who is in charge of venture support and shared office management at the university.

Entrepreneurship, entrepreneurial spirit, entrepreneurial mind, ventures, startups, company formation, business model, fundraising, business plans, team building, venture capital, pitching, venture contests, work experience

[Schedule]
1) Guidance
2) Basic knowledge for starting a business (1): Various forms of entrepreneurship, Shinshu University's venture support
3) Case studies by entrepreneurs (1)
4) Basic knowledge for starting a business (2): Various business models
5) Case studies by entrepreneurs (2)
6) Basic knowledge for starting a business (3): Thinking about business models
7) Case studies by entrepreneurs (3)
8) Basic knowledge for starting a business (4): Preparations and procedures for establishing a company
9) Case studies by entrepreneurs (4)
10) Basic knowledge for starting a business (5): Financing and capital policy
11) Skills required for starting a business: Creating a business plan / creating presentation materials / pitching
12) Basic knowledge for starting a business (6): Investment decisions made by venture capitalists
13) Case studies by entrepreneurs (5)
14) Human resources and systems that support entrepreneurship, support organizations, and co-working inside and outside the region
15) Mock pitch contest, course survey
[Report assignment]
After the 3rd and 8th lectures, students will be asked to submit an essay (2–5 A4 pages) on starting their own business; specifically, the report assignment should focus on the
commercialization of the students' own start-up ideas based on the knowledge they have gained in class. There will be a dedicated form for the report assignment.
[Business plan creation & pitching experience]
From the 11th lecuture onward, students will create a business plan for their own business, presentation materials to explain their business plan to investors and financial institutions, and
a concise "pitch" (approximately 3 minutes long) to sell their business plan quickly. These materials must be submitted at the end of the 13th lecture. The instructor will evaluate the
submitted business plans and pitch videos and select 5–10 pitch videos for the 15th lecture mock pitch contest, which will be judged by students (including participants) and instructors
(including several external instructors). The top winners will receive awards.

Syllabus (Japanese site only)