Lecture: Start-Up Management

Dear students,

The lecture "Start-Up Management" is aimed at master's students in their first semester of the Entrepreneurship minor, but can also be taken by interested students from other groups. The focus is on the question: "How do I launch a start-up, and how can young founders prepare for systematic growth?" Here you can find our FAQs.

Contact:
Andreas Jagdhuber
Format

Start-Up Management will take place in the second term of the winter semester 2026/2027 (November 30, 2026–February 5, 2027).

It consists of two submodules, each in one session: 

1. Lecture: Founding and Scaling Ventures - Lecture, interactive sessions, case studies, and breaks, ULB 101

2. Tutorial: Business Growth Tutorial -  Guest lecture and Q&A with one of three mentors, ULB 101

  • 03.12.2026, 2:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.: Kick-Off
  • 10.12.2026, 2:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
  • 14.01.2027, 2:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
  • 28.01.2027, 2:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
  • 04.02.2027, 2:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.: Closing event
  • Voluntary Q&A Sessions: 07.01.2027 and 21.01.2027

Registration takes place via Learnweb. You will receive the password for registration in the first lecture. Separate registration via our chair is not necessary. The exam is expected to take place during the regular exam period. For all further questions, please use the Learnweb discussion forum.
Language English
Credit Points 6
Content

The course is practical, interactive, and startup-centric. The core content is structured around key stages of the entrepreneurial journey: pre-incorporation, incorporation, and post-incorporation. It is delivered through theory- and practice-based lectures, case studies, and practical guest lectures. These guest lectures are given by the three mentors, key players from Münster’s startup ecosystem, and a notary.

The primary objective of the course is to provide hands-on insights into the personal and organizational interactions involved in founding a business, as well as the management of a young company. Furthermore, it addresses legal and tax topics relevant to founders, particularly during the setup phase. Students are equipped with the necessary toolkit to directly apply the learned methods, enabling young ventures to unlock sustainable growth potential.

As part of the lectures, three renowned entrepreneurs and founding experts each deliver a guest presentation during the Business Growth Tutorial, serving as mentors and coaches for the students' startup ideas. The interdisciplinary teams typically consist of 4 to 6 students working on their fictitious, realistic—and perhaps later real—business concept.
Professional skills

In this course students:

  • learn what needs to be considered from a legal,  tax, and management perspective before and during the start-up phase, and how to found a company.
  • understand basic strategies for managing and developing a newly founded company.
  • receive tips and learn from experienced companies with different backgrounds and business models on how to scale companies. 
  • are provided with frameworks they can use to build and develop their start-up.
Examination

60% group work (by 28.02.2027, max. 30 ppt audio slides),
40% exam (25.02.2027, 11:30am, 45min, single-choice questions and calculations)
Attendance Attendance is strongly recommended to enhance learning success.