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Semester V · PCI syllabus 2026
Innovation and Startup Ecosystem
BP503T
2 credits
Theory
Coming soon
Unit 1: Unit I: Introduction to Innovation and
- Entrepreneurship Defining Innovation and Entrepreneurship
- What is Innovation?
- Types of Innovation: Product, Process, Business Model, Social
- What is Entrepreneurship?
- Characteristics of an Entrepreneur Invention vs Innovation
- Distinction between Invention and Innovation
- Importance of Innovation in the 21st Century o Economic growth and job creation o Solving societal problems
- Disruptive technologies and their impact Case Studies
- Innovative companies (e.g., Apple, Google, Tesla) Introduction to the Startup Ecosystem
- Key components: o Entrepreneurs o Incubators/Accelerators o Mentors o Investors o Government o Academia o Support Services
- Role of each component in fostering innovation Practical Aspect: Participation in National Innovation Day and National Startup Day
Unit 2: Unit II: Ideation and Opportunity Identification
- Identifying Problems and Market Gaps
- Problem-solving approach to entrepreneurship
- Techniques for problem identification: o Observation o Empathy mapping o User interviews
- Market research basics: o Understanding customer needs and pain points Generating Innovative Ideas
- Brainstorming techniques: o SCAMPER o Design Thinking principles for ideation
- Lateral thinking and divergent thinking
- From problem to solution: developing initial concepts Opportunity Analysis and Feasibility
- Market sizing and potential
- Competitive analysis
- SWOT analysis for new ventures Practical Aspect: Participation in Ideation Challenges or Hackathons (e.g., Smart India Hackathon or IIC internal ideation competitions)
Unit 3: Unit III: Building a Minimum Viable Product
- (MVP) and Validation Lean Startup Methodology
- Introduction to Lean Startup principles
- Build–Measure–Learn feedback loop
- Concept of MVP: o Importance o Scope and objectives Designing and Developing an MVP
- Different types of MVPs
- Tools and resources for rapid prototyping
- User experience basics for MVPs Validation
- Customer interviews and feedback collection
- A/B testing and split testing
- Pivoting vs Persevering Practical Aspect: Participation in sessions/workshops on Prototype, MVP, and Product Development
Unit 4: Unit IV: Business Models and Startup Operations
- Business Model Canvas (BMC)
- Introduction to the 9 building blocks of BMC
- Developing a BMC for a new venture
- Value Proposition Design Legal and Financial Aspects for Startups
- Legal structures: o Sole Proprietorship o Partnership o Private Limited Company
- Intellectual Property Rights (IPR): o Patents o Trademarks o Copyrights
- Startup funding: o Bootstrapping o Angel investors Team Building and Mentorship
- Importance of a strong founding team
- Roles and responsibilities in a startup
- Value of mentors and advisors Practical Aspect: Participation in IPR awareness programs or startup funding sessions
Unit 5: Unit V: Scaling, Ecosystem Engagement, and
- Future Trends Growth Strategies and Scaling Up
- Marketing and sales for startups
- User acquisition and retention
- Challenges of scaling and solutions
- Exit strategies: o Acquisition o IPO Engaging with the Startup Ecosystem
- Networking with investors, mentors, and entrepreneurs
- Participation in startup competitions and pitch events
- Leveraging incubators and accelerators Future Trends in Innovation and Entrepreneurship
- Emerging technologies: o Artificial Intelligence o Blockchain o Internet of Things (IoT) o Sustainable Technologies
- Social entrepreneurship and impact investing
- Global startup trends Practical Aspect: Participation in National Innovation Day and student engagement activities to prepare and deliver a concise pitch for their developed idea, simulating a startup pitch event
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