Course Overview:

This course introduces students to the fundamentals of launching and scaling technology driven ventures in a rapidly evolving global economy. Blending principles of entrepreneurship, innovation strategy, and digital transformation, students will explore how emerging technologies create new business opportunities—and how entrepreneurs identify, validate, and capitalize on them. Students will learn how to develop a viable tech-based business model, understand the startup lifecycle, assess customer needs, secure funding, and build value through innovation. Key topics include lean startup methodology, design thinking, MVP development, venture financing, and scaling strategies. Special attention is given to ethical considerations, inclusive innovation, and the societal impacts of technology. Through real-world case studies, collaborative ideation, and applied projects, students will gain hands-on experience in pitching, prototyping, and evaluating tech-enabled solutions to real-world problems. By the end of the course, students will be equipped with both the mindset and skill set to pursue entrepreneurial ventures or drive innovation within existing organizations.

Prerequisite:

  • The students must have completed grade 12 or equivalent education, or mature student status (19 years or older).
  • All applicants must meet one of the following Language Proficiency Requirements (LPR):
    • Completion of 2 years of secondary education (including English 10 and 11 with grade of ‘C’ or higher) from a country where English is one of the principal languages, or
    • Completion of 2 years of full-time post-secondary education at an accredited institution where English is the language of instruction, or
    • Students from non-English speaking countries must have completed grade 12 or equivalent education and provide verified results for one of the English Language Proficiency tests with minimum scores listed below:
      • IELTS 6.0, TOEFL 50, CAEL 45, CELPIP 6.5, DET 105, PTE 47, PCE 175, CAMBRIDGE B2 Level, LANGUAGECERT B2 Level, MET B2 Level, ITEP 3.8, EIKEN Grade Pre-1. or
    • Provide proof of achieving at least 65% in Grade 12 English (or equivalent) from a recognized institution.
  • Mature Student Applicants
    • Applicants who are 19 years of age or older at the start of the program, are Canadian citizens or permanent residents, and are unable to provide official secondary or post-secondary education records may demonstrate English proficiency by:
      • Submitting a signed attestation confirming they have completed at least three years of full-time education in English in a country where English is one of the primary languages and
      • Completing the Accuplacer English Assessment (Next Generation: Reading, Writing, and WritePlacer) with the following minimum scores:
        • Reading: 235
        • Writing: 235
        • WritePlacer: 4

Learning Outcomes:

Upon successful completion of this course, the students will be able to:

  • Describe key concepts of entrepreneurship, innovation, and the startup lifecycle in technology-driven environments.
  • Identify market opportunities and evaluate the viability of tech-based business ideas through customer discovery and validation techniques.
  • Apply lean startup and design thinking methodologies to develop and iterate on minimum viable products (MVPs).
  • Construct a business model for a tech venture using frameworks such as the Business Model Canvas.
  • Analyze emerging technologies and their impact on market disruption, competitive advantage, and innovation strategy.
  • Evaluate funding options and assess the legal and ethical considerations involved in launching and scaling a tech startup.
  • Deliver persuasive investor pitches and innovation proposals using professional storytelling and presentation techniques.

Course Content & Topics:

Class 1: Introduction to Tech Entrepreneurship
Class 2: Opportunity Identification and Market Gaps
Class 3: Customer Discovery and Validation
Class 4: Lean Startup Methodology
Class 5: Design Thinking and MVP Development
Class 6: Business Model Innovation
Class 7: Competitive Analysis and Strategy
Class 8: Innovation Strategy and Technology Trends
Class 9: Legal, Ethical, and IP Considerations
Class 10: Financial Planning and Funding Options
Class 11: Building and Leading Startup Teams
Class 12: Scaling the Venture
Class 13: Pitching and Fundraising
Class 14: Capstone Innovation Challenge

Credit Information:

  • Credits: 3

Duration:

  • 14 Weeks: 3 hrs/week

Course & Related Fees:

  • Domestic & International: $700 (Seven hundred dollars)

For a detailed breakdown, please refer to Policy #S-005 Programs & Course Fee Schedule

Non-Refundable Fees:

  • Application Fee: $50.00/course (payable online and non-refundable)