Software Entrepreneurship

Learning Outcomes  

This course has six learning outcomes:

• CLO1: Understand the software development process and its intersection with entrepreneurship.
• CLO2: Develop skills in ideation, design, and prototyping of software solutions.
• CLO3: Learn how to conduct market research and validate product ideas.
• CLO4: Understand the importance of user experience and user interface design.
• CLO5: Learn how to pitch ideas to investors and secure funding.
• CLO6: Develop a working prototype of a software solution that solves a real-world problem.

Assessment  

This course includes a variety of activities such as case studies, presentations, and a semester-long project. These activities provide students with an opportunity to strengthen their understanding of the material covered in class.

Final course grades will be based on the following.

Activity	Grade	Details
Presentations	10%	There will be at least two presentations. Evaluation criteria: Content Quality: 40% Delivery: 20% Time Management: 10% Presentation Design: 10% Q and A: 20%
Activities and Case Studies	20%	There will be several activities and case studies.
Project	20%	The project will be delivered in iterations.
Midterm	10%	There will be 1 Midterm. The Midterm will be on Week 8. The Midterm will cover the materials finished by Week 7.
Final Exam	40%	The Final Exam is a comprehensive exam covering all CLOs.

 

Tentative Schedule  

Chapter	Topic	Notes	Projects/Case Studies
1	Introduction	Introduction	Activity 1: Introduction AQAR Case Study
2	Models and Mechanisms	Models and Mechanisms	Activity 2: Lean Startup Model Simulation Activity 3: Business Canvas Model Activity 4: Value Proposition Canvas Case Study Zid
3	Ideation and Design	Ideation and Design	Activity 5: Understanding the Problem Activity 6: Generating Innovative Ideas Case Study Tabby
4	Development and Prototyping	Development and Prototyping PoC vs Prototype vs MVP	Activity 7: Prototype Development Challenge Activity 8: Developing a Virtual Event Planning Platform Case Study Foodics
5	Securing Funding	Securing Funding	Activity 9: Crafting a Compelling Pitch for Investors SmartRide-Sample Pitch Case Study Tamara
6	Launching and Marketing	Launching and Marketing	Business Plan Activity 10: Growing First Customer Base Case Study HajjGuide
7	Organizational Development	Organizational Development	Case Study Tarjama
8	Exit Strategies	Exit Strategies	Case Study Careem

 

Course Resources  

Course Administration

• Announcements will be posted on this web page and LMS.
• We are using both this website and Moodle (LMS).

References

Students who wish to read more about the topics that we discuss in class may consult the folowing resources:

• Sprint: How to Solve Big Problems and Test New Ideas in Just Five Days .
• The Art of the Start: The Time-Tested, Battle-Hardened Guide for Anyone Starting Anything .
• Fundamentals of Software Startups, Essential Engineering and Business Aspects .
• Software Entrepreneurship: Turning Your Idea into a Successful Business.
• The Remarkable Effect: The Essential Book for Tech-Entrepreneurs-on-a-Mission.
• Technologies for Modern Digital Entrepreneurship: Understanding Emerging Tech at the Cutting-Edge of the Web 3.0 Economy .
• From Startup to Exit: An Insider's Guide to Launching and Scaling Your Tech Business.

More Sources

• Want to Learn about Entrepreneurship, as a Software Engineer? Sell Something Online
• Software Development for Startups: The Entrepreneurs’ Guide
• How to Be a Successful Entrepreneur – A Developer's Guide to Startup Strategy and Design
• 6 Tips for Building a Successful, Scalable Software Company
• What Is a Digital Entrepreneur? And, Why You Should Consider Becoming One

Project

This file "Project Description" has all the details about the course project.

 

General Resources  

Academic Integrity

Students are expected to know and abide by PSU's policies on academic integrity. Academic integrity violations will be prosecuted aggressively. If you are not sure what constitutes an academic integrity violation, please ask.