The Entrepreneurship and Innovation concentration equips students with the mentality, skills, and know-how needed to become successful entrepreneurs and innovators. Graduates receive a dually-accredited degree, recognized in both the US and the EU, and earn it in three years instead of four.

The Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Business Administration with a concentration in Entrepreneurship and Innovation is designed to cultivate the entrepreneurial mindset and provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary to start, manage, and grow successful ventures in today’s dynamic business landscape. This program combines foundational business principles with specialized coursework in entrepreneurial strategies, innovation management, creativity, and venture creation.

Students learn to identify market opportunities, develop innovative business models, and navigate the challenges of launching and scaling new ventures. This concentration is closely linked with the Top Junior Achievement Start-up competition and provides students with the hands-on, practical experience of running a company, while developing their operational, managerial, marketing and interpersonal skills.

Learning Outcomes:

Graduates of the Entrepreneurship and Innovation program will be able to:

• Demonstrate a deep understanding of entrepreneurship theories, concepts, and practices, including opportunity recognition, business model innovation, and entrepreneurial finance.
• Apply creative thinking and problem-solving skills to identify and evaluate market opportunities, develop innovative business ideas, and formulate viable business plans.
• Utilize entrepreneurial strategies and techniques to launch and manage new ventures, including start-ups, social enterprises, and corporate ventures.
• Determine the necessary financial and non-financial resources available for new ventures.
• Identify the criteria used to screen and evaluate proposals, including their attractiveness and risk, and how to obtain start-up and early growth capital.
• Effectively leverage technology and digital platforms to drive innovation, enhance operational efficiency, and create competitive advantages in the marketplace.
• Understand the legal, ethical, and regulatory considerations relevant to entrepreneurship and venture creation; including intellectual property protection, contract law, and business ethics.
• Demonstrate effective leadership and communication skills to inspire and motivate teams, build strategic partnerships, and engage stakeholders in the entrepreneurial ecosystem.
• Navigate the challenges and uncertainties inherent in entrepreneurial endeavors, including risk management, resilience, and adaptability to changing market conditions.
• Analyze case studies and real-world examples of successful and failed ventures to extract lessons learned and best practices in entrepreneurship and innovation.

Career Prospects:

Graduates of the Entrepreneurship and Innovation program are well-positioned to pursue a variety of career paths in the entrepreneurial ecosystem. Some potential roles include:

• Entrepreneur/founder
• Innovation manager
• Venture capital analyst
• Corporate entrepreneur
• Business consultant
• Product manager 
• Project manager
• Social entrepreneur

Overall, graduates of this program possess a unique combination of business acumen, creativity, and entrepreneurial mindset that enables them to thrive in the fast-paced and ever-changing landscape of entrepreneurship and innovation, where bold ideas, perseverance, and strategic thinking are essential for success.