PGDM Core Subject
Startup & Entrepreneurship
Course Objective
2. Course Description
This course explores the "Zero-to-One" journey of creating a new venture. Students will move beyond traditional business planning to master Ideation, the Business Model Canvas, and Lean Startup Methodology. The focus is on identifying unmet market needs and architecting sustainable, value-centric business models that differentiate from standard automated solutions.
3. Course Objectives (Learning Goals)
- To identify and validate unmet market needs to create unique value propositions.
- To apply Lean Startup principles and Agile Methodologies to lead iterative development cycles.
- To design sustainable and scalable business models using the Business Model Canvas.
- To architect a value-centric growth strategy that links technological investment to business outcomes.
4. Course Outcomes (COs)
Mapped to Bloom’s Taxonomy and Taxila’s Program Outcomes (POs).
|
CO Code |
Course Outcome Description |
Bloom's Level |
Primary PO Mapping |
|
CO1 |
Explain the principles of entrepreneurship, lean methodology, and the startup ecosystem. +3 |
Understand (L2) |
PO1 |
|
CO2 |
Apply Design Thinking and iterative project management to develop a Minimum Viable Product (MVP). +3 |
Apply (L3) |
PO5 |
|
CO3 |
Analyze market gaps and competitor offerings to define a differentiated value proposition. +3 |
Analyze (L4) |
PO2 |
|
CO4 |
Evaluate the ethical and social implications (ESG) of a new venture's governance and business model. +1 |
Evaluate (L5) |
PO7 |
|
CO5 |
Design a comprehensive Business Model Canvas and an investor-ready "Pitch Deck". +4 |
Create (L6) |
PO5 |
5. CO-PO Articulation Matrix
Correlation: 3 (High), 2 (Medium), 1 (Low).
|
CO Code |
PO1 |
PO2 |
PO3 |
PO4 |
PO5 |
PO6 |
PO7 |
PO8 |
|
CO1 |
3 |
1 |
- |
- |
3 |
- |
- |
2 |
|
CO2 |
2 |
2 |
3 |
2 |
3 |
- |
- |
3 |
|
CO3 |
1 |
3 |
- |
- |
3 |
- |
- |
2 |
|
CO4 |
- |
2 |
- |
- |
2 |
2 |
3 |
1 |
|
CO5 |
1 |
3 |
2 |
3 |
3 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
|
AVG |
1.8 |
2.2 |
2.5 |
2.5 |
3.0 |
1.5 |
2.0 |
2.0 |
6. Assessment Scheme
|
Component |
Marks |
Description |
Mapped CO |
|
Simulation |
20 |
Taxila Lab Simulations: • Sim 1 (10 Marks): The Ideation Engine. • Sim 2 (10 Marks): The Lean Pivot Challenge. |
CO2, CO3 |
|
Presentation |
20 |
"The Shark Tank Pitch": Final presentation of the Business Model Canvas and MVP to a panel. |
CO5 |
|
Project |
30 |
"The Customer Discovery Log": Documenting 50+ customer interviews to validate market needs. +2 |
CO3 |
|
Mid Term |
10 |
Written exam covering ideation and business modeling. +1 |
CO1 |
|
Class Participation |
20 |
Active participation in workshops, "war-gaming," and mentor sessions. |
All |
7. Detailed Syllabus & Session Plan
Each session is 90 minutes of class time plus 60 minutes of pre-class preparation.
Module 1: The Entrepreneurial Mindset & Ideation (Sessions 1-4)
- Session 1: The "Zero-to-One" Mindset
Topic: Identifying business opportunities and the agility required for new ventures.
Pre-Class Prep: Read Peter Thiel, Zero to One (Chapter 1).
- Session 2-3: Design Thinking & Problem Identification
Topic: Using human-centric thinking to identify ambiguous problems and unmet market needs.
Pre-Class Prep: Task: Identify three "friction points" in your daily life.
- Session 4: Taxila Lab Simulation 1
Topic: "The Ideation Engine" – Using rapid prototyping to bridge business requirements and technical execution.
Module 2: Business Modeling & Validation (Sessions 5-9)
- Session 5-6: The Business Model Canvas (BMC)
Topic: Designing sustainable business models and value architectures.
Pre-Class Prep: Read Alexander Osterwalder, Business Model Generation.
- Session 7-8: Lean Startup & The MVP
Topic: Build-Measure-Learn loops and the Minimum Viable Product.
Pre-Class Prep: Read Eric Ries, The Lean Startup.
- Session 9: Taxila Lab Simulation 2
- Topic: "The Lean Pivot Challenge" – Iterating a business model based on failed validation data.
Module 3: Launch & Ethical Growth (Sessions 10-14)
- Session 10: Unit Economics & Value Strategy
Topic: Linking technological investments to revenue and retention (CAC, LTV).
Pre-Class Prep: Task: Calculate the LTV/CAC ratio for a hypothetical startup.
- Session 11: Sustainable Growth & ESG
Topic: Integrating ESG standards and ethical governance into the startup DNA.
Pre-Class Prep: Read Case: Patagonia: Scaling Sustainability.
- Session 12-13: The Funding Pitch & Storytelling
Topic: Persuasive storytelling and defending business arguments to a panel.
Pre-Class Prep: Finalize pitch deck and rehearse.
- Session 14: "The Shark Tank Pitch" & Wrap-up
Topic: Final assessment and feedback on the entrepreneurial journey.
8. Textbooks & Resources
- Mandatory Textbook: The Lean Startup by Eric Ries (Crown Business).
- Lab Resources:
Taxila Lab Sim 1: The Ideation Engine.
Taxila Lab Sim 2: The Lean Pivot Challenge.