In this course, participants develop business ideas, learn what it takes to be an intrapreneur, and discover how to turn an idea or technology into a sound business plan. The course combines creative and analytical problem-solving, starting with identifying opportunities and systematically developing them into compelling business concepts. Participants begin with an idea or technology and are guided from an initial concept to an attractive business idea, with a strong focus on the iterative nature of the process. Project management skills are also emphasized to support efficient execution. Best practices and real-life startup examples provide a practical deep dive into entrepreneurship.
- Identify, evaluate, and refine business opportunities using strategic tools
- Analyze customer needs and market dynamics to develop sustainable business models
- Navigate complex projects, manage uncertainty, and break tasks into actionable steps
- Coordinate with stakeholders and apply strategic decision-making processes
- Lead interdisciplinary teams by leveraging individual strengths and managing diverse work styles
- Communicate effectively through discussions, group sessions, and tailored presentations for various audiences
This course is part of the prestigious part-time Pharma MBA program, conducted in English on Fridays and Saturdays on Campus Westend. It offers a valuable opportunity to network and gain expertise without committing to a full degree program. Upon completion, participants receive a Certificate of Participation. As the number of seats is limited, we recommend to register early. If you're a GBS or Goethe University alum, explore our attractive alumni discount options.
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Prof. Dr. Thomas Funke
Prof. Dr. Thomas Funke is the founding president and co-founder of Tomorrow University of Applied Sciences, a leading German remote university to educate the next generation of change-makers. Before that, he co-founded TechQuartier, the incubator for Frankfurt’s FinTech scene, and has been involved in the global startup ecosystem for over 15 years. From 2013 to 2016, Thomas led the startup and innovation department at the RKW Competence Center, a think tank of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy. He has also taught entrepreneurship for many years in various programs at GBS.
Dr. Sebastian Schäfer
Dr. Sebastian Schäfer is CEO of House of Finance & Tech in Berlin. He previously served as Managing Director of TechQuartier, where he built innovation programs and a network of over 650 startups and 30 partners. He holds a doctorate in behavioral economics from the University of Frankfurt and is affiliated with the Center for Leadership and Behavior in Organizations and the Frankfurt Laboratory of Experimental Economics at Goethe University. He lectures at Goethe Business School and Frankfurt School of Finance and Management and works as an advisor, business angel, and co-founder of Go Big GmbH (Pitch Club).
Candidates with an undergraduate degree (i.e., bachelor or equivalent) of 180 credit points (CP) based on the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) can apply for our Open Programs. The allocation of credit points for work experience will appear on the Academic Transcript of Records and be titled ‘Prior Learning Assessment’.
Open Program applicants must submit a recent proof of English language proficiency at the higher B2 level per the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR). The GBS Office of Admissions will accept test results of the following tests, taken no longer than two years ago upon the date of submission:
- TOEFL iBT®
- TOEFL iBT® Home Edition
- IELTS
- Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English
- English Language Level Test (ELLT) - Oxford International Digital Institute
Applicants may request a waiver of proof of proficiency in English in case one of the following conditions applies. The applicant
- is a native speaker of English;
- has graduated from an international baccalaureate program
- has completed their undergraduate or master-level studies in a program taught entirely in English;
- has worked in an English-speaking country for at least one year.
If the applicant has not taken any of the above tests when submitting the application, the applicant can upload a confirmation of the test registration to the online admissions portal.
Applicants who submit a language certificate older than two years but without an expiry date will be invited for an additional interview with a native speaker of English.
Proof of relevant post-undergraduate work experience of at least one year is to be submitted, e.g., a performance review, reference letter, or written confirmation from your employer.