The E&I Bootcamp marks the beginning of the specialization and provides both a kick-off and an overview of the different modules. Building on the experiences made during the Silicon Valley field trip, you will work on the definition and set-up of your own venture or innovation project. You will take a deep dive into creativity and ideation techniques. In addition, you will learn what it takes to make your innovative ideas come true: we will cover the lean start-up approach, including prototype-based customer discovery methods. Finally, you will get to know the Austrian start-up and innovation ecosystem and get a chance to connect with its key players.

Leveraging existing or accumulating new knowledge is key in the fields of new venture creation and innovation processes. In this module, you will learn where and how to look for innovative ideas, concepts, and solutions. We will discuss how to 1. unleash the creative potential within your organization, 2. open up innovation processes for external actors to contribute novel ideas and solutions, and 3. design collaborations between start-ups and corporates to foster innovation.

This module is dedicated to integrating the insights from the previous modules of the specialization and applying them to your project. You will pitch your project to an expert jury, and based on the feedback received, develop a detailed action plan on how to proceed.

In a digital and global economy, markets are becoming increasingly dynamic. New ventures and established companies alike face the constant challenge to commercialize innovations that show a distinct competitive advantage in meeting the needs of attractive customer groups. This module gives the students exposure to state-of-the-art methods to align new product development (NPD) and marketing activities to customer needs and competitive forces. We will discuss how these methods support in gaining customer insights for design, in spotting promising market segments, in determining appropriate revenue models, and in communicating the innovation in the digital space. We will primarily focus on approaches helping to leverage customer intelligence and market data to exploit new business opportunities.

Due to rapid technological progress and strong competition, many firms are nowadays confronted with quickly eroding competitive advantages. Innovation has therefore become key to sustaining firm success over time. In this module, participants will learn about the strategic dimension of innovation in firms: we will discuss how innovation has become an integral part of strategy making, how firms may gather “knowledge of the future” via corporate foresight activities and identify new market opportunities, how existing innovation methods (e.g. design thinking) can be embedded in a more encompassing process of strategic innovation management, how firms mitigate weaknesses by collaborating, and how they make can make sure to profit from their innovations (e.g. via complementary assets, patents, and standards).

Identification and analysis of all key dimensions of sustainable and digital innovation within established firms as well as new ventures: agile business processes and practices, developing business models for digital innovation, understanding mindsets, designing organizational structures enabling collaboration across functional and hierarchical lines, tapping new forms of organizing enabled by the digital revolution.

There are different sources of capital to finance a venture. At a first glance, they are relatively easy to differentiate and to use. However, there are many traps associated with those different sources and entrepreneurs should not run into these traps. Or as Vinod Koshla, a famous VC (Venture Capitalist) from Silicon Valley, puts it: “I would guess 70-85% of VCs add negative value to a startup in advising them” the question is, how to avoid the situation that a VC might add negative value. The module about financing your venture gives an answer to this and many more questions real entrepreneurs might have, using different forms of capital to finance their venture.

At the end of the Executive MBA program, students have to write a master's thesis in order to receive the academic degree of Executive Master of Business Administration (EMBA). The intention of the master's thesis is to guarantee that the graduate of the Executive MBA program is able to write scientific papers on his or her own.

Yes, our Executive MBA tuition fees are fully tax deductible for taxpayers in Austria. With our flexible payment modalities, you can spread the fees over several tax periods. However, as tax deductibility can vary greatly from person to person, we recommend that you also contact a tax advisor or inquire directly at the tax office.

If you are taxpayer of another country, please contact your local tax authorities for information on available tax deductions.

To apply for a scholarship, you need to hand in the following additional documents:

• Documentation of income

• Relevant documentation of exceptional circumstances (e.g. supporting dependents, medical care).

Learn more about application deadlines at WU Executive Academy and the process for each scholarship.

Yes, the WU Executive Academy offers a wide range of Executive MBA scholarships and financing options.

Scholarships are awarded on a case-by-case basis. The committee decides whether and to what extent a scholarship will be granted by evaluating your:

• High motivation for joining the program

• Enthusiasm for a challenging learning experience

• Clear understanding of personal contribution to team learning and the overall cohort experience

• Relevant skills and work experience

• Strong record of career progression

• Excellent interpersonal, intercultural, and communication skills

• Passion and commitment to achieve personal growth and success

• Diversity of the student group in terms of academic, professional, and cultural background

• Financial situation

Find additional eligibility criteria for each scholarship.

The Executive MBA in Entrepreneurship & Innovation is designed for forward-thinking leaders, entrepreneurs, and aspiring founders who wish to elevate their entrepreneurial and innovation skills to the next level. In a dynamic, technology-driven environment, we provide you with the tools to actively shape change and develop the leadership of tomorrow.

The Executive MBA in Entrepreneurship & Innovation is perfect for individuals who:

• Have a strong interest in innovation, strategy, and research & development.

• Wish to systematically expand their management skills to lead successfully in a constantly evolving environment.

• Are preparing for a leadership role in an innovation-driven company.

An Executive MBA in Entrepreneurship & Innovation offers you the tools to turn innovative ideas into successful business models. By combining strategic thinking with practical, hands-on experience, you’ll learn how to navigate today’s fast-moving, technology-driven business world. The program is designed for those looking to elevate their leadership skills, whether in launching new ventures or driving innovation in established companies. With guidance from leading experts and exposure to real-world startup ecosystems, you’ll develop the entrepreneurial mindset needed to succeed in a rapidly evolving market.

Upon successfully completing the Executive MBA Entrepreneurship & Innovation, you will be awarded the prestigious academic title of "Executive Master of Business Administration (EMBA)" from the WU Vienna University of Economics and Business. This degree recognizes your advanced skills in entrepreneurship, innovation, and management, preparing you to take on leadership roles in the global business landscape.

The Executive MBA Entrepreneurship & Innovation is designed for potential and future leaders seeking a broad business education with a specialization in Entrepreneurship & Innovation. The Executive MBA prepares participants for future leadership roles. In the Business Core, students come together with colleagues from numerous countries and become part of a large network of leaders they can draw on long after graduation.

In contrast to the Executive MBA, the Master Sustainability, Entrepreneurship & Technology program is a purely online program. It lasts only 1 year and the focus is on entrepreneurship and technology. This program is suitable for individuals who want to focus on building a business.

Our selection process involves careful consideration of the following factors:

• High motivation for joining the program

• Enthusiasm for a challenging learning experience

• Clear understanding of personal contribution to team learning and the overall cohort experience

• Relevant skills and work experience

• Strong record of career progression

• Excellent interpersonal, intercultural, and communication skills

• Passion and commitment to achieve personal growth and success

• Diversity of the student group in terms of academic, professional, and cultural background

Applicants must meet the following formal requirements:

• Undergraduate degree (Bachelor 180 ECTS or equivalent) from a recognized post-secondary institution*

• Minimum of 3 years of postgraduate work experience

• Leadership experience preferred

• Proficiency in written and spoken English

^{* For the Executive MBA programs, outstanding professional experience may allow for application in exceptional cases.}