VVZ API is not affiliated with ETH Zurich. Data might be outdated or incorrect. Please view the official ETHZ Vorlesungsverzeichnis for binding information.
Corporate Entrepreneurship and Innovation
Last Updated: 2026-06-03 00:07:53
Abstract
How do corporation manage entrepreneurship and innovation? This course introduces you to how corporates manage the front end of an innovation process when ideation is important and how the commercialization process can be organized when prioritization is more important and ultimately decisions need to be made about which projects to select.
Objective
- To understand how corporates and scale ups can structure an innovation process - To familiarize oneself with the key components of corporate innovation - To be able to develop subject criterions for prioritizing - To get knowledge of how to assess scale up potential - To be able to make a business case
Content
This module focusses on how to manage corporate entrepreneurship and innovation. Concepts such as ideation, corporate acceleration and incubation and corporate venture capital are taught based upon different real life cases. The teaching style is case based, which means that students are expected to prepare the case before coming to class In addition to how corporates manage innovation, students are made familiar to the concept of technology hypes and the challenges these hypes bring to assess new technologies such as blockchain, AI or Quantum Computing. Guest speakers from the corporate world with experience in corporate venturing illustrate the content in a real life situation. In parallel to the taught component, students are made familiar to the double diamond in design thinking and challenged to come up with a business model innovation. Students will be expected during the program to develop an innovative business case for one of their companies in groups of 4 in parallel to discussing the most pertinent issues in managing corporate innovation processes. A standard method will be followed to develop the business case akin to a capstone project which includes many aspects of different courses such as finance, marketing, experimentation, etc. The following content will be covered in the case teaching: - How to structure an innovation process to get most out of your customers (discussion of the Kyriba case) - How to achieve business model innovation and corporate renewal (discussion of the case of Robert Bosch) - When is the right time to invest in new technologies (discussion of the case of Estelle, Switzerlands first democratic wealth management company) - How to make a business case for long term technical innovations (discussion of Automated Valet Parking) In addition to the case teaching, guest speakers will be invited to give their opinion on up to date innovation tools such as Adobe’s Kick box, the use of Lean thinking in corporate venturing and the importance of spin-out policies for company renewal. In addition to the ‘classic’ delivery of content, students are expected to work on an innovative business case of choice, for which they will receive guiding tools and support. In the last class, the teams will present the cases to each other and a winning case will be selected. Individual grading (graded semester performance) is based on active participation in class, including case preparation. Group grading is based on the innovation capstone project: This written document will build on the methods and models discussed in this course (both in class and the reading materials) to develop a project proposal for an innovation project for the company you work in.
General Information
- Language
- English
- Levels
- NDS
- Frequency
- Yearly recurring
Examination
- Type
- graded semester performance
Registration & Places
- Max Places
- 30
- Signup End
- 02.08.2026
Course Components
| Type | Title | Time & Place | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| lecture |
Corporate Entrepreneurship and Innovation
Three-day course.
|
No time listed | 24 h semesterly |
Offered In
-
MAS in Management, Technology, and Economics (MAS MTEC Onboarding Workshop for 1st Semester Students: Friday, 11.09.2026, 09.00 -17.30, LEE E 101)
-