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MBA Entrepreneurship & Innovation
ⓘ Covid-19: Currently, we are offering modules in a hybrid format whenever possible, i.e. in-class teaching with simultaneous online participation for those students who are facing travel restrictions.
For organizations in all forms and sizes, including start-ups, SME, multinationals, NPO, and NGO, innovation has become the number one competitive factor. However, innovation does not happen out of the blue. It is driven by individuals who spot innovation opportunities earlier than others, recognize the big picture, and develop the opportunity with passion and the right tools. You can drive that change with strategies, methods, insights, practical skills, cases, and the right network – all of which the MBA Entrepreneurship & Innovation provides.
Real-Life Content
- You bring your business challenges to class for discussion
- International residency (USA), real-life cases and exclusive company visits
- Apply your newly acquired knowledge directly to your job
Global Network
- Over 4,500 members from over 85 nations
- Online student and alumni platform
- Local community chapters
- Exclusive events and services
- A great resource for company insights and exchange
Personal development
- Career Accelerator Program
- Personal skills training
- Career workshops
Blended Learning
- Compact format with 18 months duration
- Lectures in the classroom and through our online learning platform
International Faculty
- Faculty members from top universities around the globe, e.g. WU Wien, Pennsylvania State University, RWTH Aachen, Tel Aviv University
- Acclaimed experts and research leaders
- Guest speakers from top corporations, e.g. Microsoft, Rewe, Google
Prof. Nikolaus Franke
- Academic Director | Professional MBA Entrepreneurship & Innovation | WU Vienna
In the 21st century, entrepreneurship capabilities are like reading and writing in the 19th and English language and computer proficiency in 20th century: absolutely essential for careers in all businesses.
Strong practical relevance
Hands-on approach
Theory and practice need to go hand in hand; our carefully selected academic lecturers from technical universities such as TUM or RWTH Aachen University and other top universities therefore accompany expert practitioners in the classroom.In every module, start-ups, VCs, top managers or other experts from the entrepreneurship ecosystem provide best practices, example cases, and feedback. We also sharpen the participants' entrepreneurial skills such as pitching, storytelling, and negotiating.
Connect with the entrepreneurship and innovation ecosystem
Successful entrepreneurs need a strong network. We provide E&I students important opportunities to connect with the vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem in Vienna.
- E&I boot camp This boot camp will set the scene for the specialization of the program: what can you expect, what can you achieve, how can you contribute to the program entrepreneurially speaking? Also, the boot camp offers you an ideal opportunity to connect with both the WU Entrepreneurship Center and the Institute for Entrepreneurship & Innovation, which, in turn, will allow you to build a network of excellent contacts within the start-up community.
- WU Entrepreneurship Center: The WU Entrepreneurship Center is WU Vienna's hub for all matters relating to entrepreneurship. As a student, you will benefit not only from a wide variety of contacts, presentations and workshops but also from having access to various networks. This is the place to go for aspiring entrepreneurs looking for specific advice, support or partners.
- Entrepreneurship Café: Co-organized by the WU Executive Academy and the WU Entrepreneurship Center, this event offers students an opportunity to gather a wealth of information regarding a potential career in entrepreneurship. In individual coaching sessions and expert chats, you can interact with investors, venture capitalists, business angels, and growth-hacking experts. More than 30 experts from the fields of entrepreneurship and marketing, investor search and finance, as well as commerce and law will provide you with tips, feedback and impetus during one-on-one “dates”.
- Demo Day Preparation and E&I Touchdown: This is another opportunity to once again test your practical skills. During the “Demo Day”, those who intend to present their application projects/master's theses in the course of the “E&I Touchdown”, the big end-of-term event, will be able to go through their pitches with their peers and experienced coaches. At the E&I Touchdown, they will have 45 seconds to convince an exclusive audience of some hundred investors, consultants, entrepreneurs, and students of the merits of their projects.
- Coworking Space: Students have access to business accelerators like WeXelerate or Talent Garden where they can link with startups and international corporate partners in an out-of-class setting, develop ideas together, and advance their own projects.
- WU Institute for Entrepreneurship and Innovation: Students have numerous opportunities to benefit from this internationally leading research center, such as direct access to high potentials from the Master/Bachelor level. Students have access to a research center that is an international leader with a focus on open and user innovation (www.e-and-i.org), giving you an opportunity not only to connect directly with high potentials from master's and bachelor's programs but also to sponsor them and have them work on real projects from your own professional practice. It will also be possible for you to serve as coaches and lecturers.
Study your own project
Our students are invited to apply the theory learned on their own business cases, challenges, or projects. The projects can be a corporate challenge (e.g. developing a new business model) or focus on a startup topic (e.g. writing a business plan). Beginning with a counselling session, students can work on their innovation projects – be it in assignments and in their master thesis. Faculty and our network support them.
Target group
The specialization is ideal for people with an entrepreneurial mindset who seek peers with diverse backgrounds (industries, nationalities, cultures) but a shared innovation spirit:
- Entrepreneurs, executives and high-potentials with a focus on innovation, strategy, and R&D
- Individuals with an engineering, science, IT, management, or other academic background
- People who sense a need for a systematic management education to realize their ultimate career goals
Diverse careers of MBA Entrepreneurship students
The specialization in Entrepreneurship & Innovation is ideal for ...
- Entrepreneurs, executives and high-potentials with a focus on innovation, strategy, and R&D
- Individuals with an engineering, science, IT, management, or other academic background
- People who sense a need for a systematic management education to realize their ultimate career goals
How many hours per week do I have to plan for studying?
On average, you should plan on spending about 15-20 hours per week working on the content. We recommend investing 2-3 hours a day.
How can managers with 50-60 hours working time manage the program?
Completing an MBA program while working is a demanding endeavor. The WU Executive Academy offers flexible options that will enable you to better integrate your studies in your professional and private life.
Blended learning structures optimize knowledge transfer and make for smooth learning journeys. Access to our e-learning platform allows you to finish your assignments in a flexible way – on your way to work, the lunch break, or during a business trip.
You can choose between two tracks in the first year of the MBA program (the Business Core): the On-Campus Track or the Hybrid Track. Both tracks consist of seven modules each. If you choose the On-Campus Track, you will complete all modules on site; if you opt for the Hybrid Track, you will travel to the campus for four modules and take the remaining three as synchronous and asynchronous online sessions.
Choose the On-Campus Track to experience all our campus has to offer as well as a lively on-site exchange with faculty and fellow students at the impressive WU Campus. Alternatively, opt for a mix of classes on site of the WU Campus (4x) and online teaching (3x) in the Hybrid Track, which will let you benefit from mutual exchange and networking on site while simultaneously saving you days off from work and money as three of the modules will not require travel to and from the campus.
How are students evaluated during the MBA?
- Participation in class: Students are continuously evaluated during classroom discussions and video conferences. Every contribution, whether written or spoken, is taken into account.
- Individual assignments: Students are asked to participate in quiz questions, individual assignments or evaluated homework.
- Group assignments: As part of a small team, students must prepare presentations, research papers or papers.
What are the differences to the Professional Master Sustainability, Entrepreneurship & Technology program?
The Professional MBA Entrepreneurship & Innovation is designed for potential and future leaders seeking a broad business education with a specialization in Entrepreneurship & Innovation. The 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 MBA, the Professional 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.
Your USP as an E&I alumni
- Expert for opportunity recognition and exploitation
- Member of a strong network
- Broadened horizon and the big picture
- Capability to bridge business and technology, theory and application, across industries and cultures
