MTIM Internship: Startup Nation Study Trip

Students may attend an intensive summer academic training in a country that is specialized in the field of innovation and entrepreneurship. Internship is optional and students who wish to participate will have to cover the cost. 

The goals of the course are: 

• Experience first-hand the “startup phenomenon and its socioeconomic impact; 

• Acquire fundamental knowledge in entrepreneurial policy design 

• Hands-on training on startup creation process 

• Investigate possible subjects for execution of the final project/thesis

The training process starts with preparatory studies in the home country: background information on the “Start Up Nation” entrepreneurial ecosystem and a case study of a company that student will be eligible to visit; it continues by combining frontal lectures by scholars and practitioners, as well as company visits, with touristic and social discovery of historical and modern aspects of the hosting country. The emphasis of the lectures is on Entrepreneurial Policy Design. 

The training is based on an integrative approach, each day being dedicated to one particular perspective of entrepreneurial formation. 

The backbone of the module is the case study students received as preparation for the trip, including a company visit and meeting with founders and current managers. It also involves visits at leading research universities, as well as incubators, entrepreneurial clusters and selected startups. 

The program includes the simulation of an entrepreneurial journey from idea to the startup using daily “Hyde park sessions” format. 

Briefly:

Academics: Scholars share their knowledge in the relevant research field 

Practitioners: Lectures by prominent entrepreneurs and investors followed by Q&A

Company visits: Getting acquainted with several early stage start-ups 

Case study: A firm, carefully selected as representative for the entrepreneurship ecosystem. The case will be discussed by student prior to the trip, then analysed in class and followed by meetings with the funders, management and key employees. 

Social events: Mix with local students and staff in an authentic atmosphere.