Benefits
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The Essentials of Entrepreneurship
Attention
Founder Fundamentals is running as "Entrepreneurship Essentials" in the summer term.
An interactive lecture designed as 12 masterclasses with topics covering everything you might need to found your own company without a background in business or economics. Founder Fundamentals is a 2-semester program (join at any time), where each semester includes a series of 6 interactive masterclasses, making a total of 12 available masterclasses over the Winter and Summer terms. The aim is to provide a broad foundation in entrepreneurship, accessible to students across disciplines. You will get to learn each topic from an expert in the field and additionally will have a homework assignment where you can directly apply all your acquired knowledge.
Term(s)
The program is offered every Winter and Summer term. The next sequence of workshops will run in the Winter Term 2026. Next information session will take place on 13.10.2026, 3:15 pm.
Time investment
3.5 hours per masterclass, with 6 masterclasses per semester alternating every second week.
ECTS
Students can earn 3 ECTS credits for attending 5 masterclasses and an additional 3 ECTS credits upon completing 10 masterclasses in total. Join anytime.
Module type
Compulsory Elective Module
Module selection at HPI
Cybersecurity MA:
HPI-PSK-ML: Management und Leitung
HPI-DE-RWM: Recht, Wirtschaft, Management
Digital Health MA:
HPI-PSK-ML: Management and Leadership
Data Engineering MA:
HPI-DE-RWM: Recht, Wirtschaft, Management
HPI-PSK-ML: Management und Leitung
IT-Systems Engineering MA:
HPI-PSK-RW: Recht und Wirtschaft
HPI-PSK-ML: Management und Leitung
IT-Systems Engingeering BA:
HPI-PSK
Grades
You will have to hand in masterclass related assignments, which will collectively act as a paper. This will qualify you for the presentation examination.
Enrollment deadline
Enrollment is possible up to 8 days before the presentation date.
Examination date
Tbd
Teaching format
Masterclasses, with interactive sessions, practical exercises, and industry insights from business and legal experts.
Teaching language
English
Registration requirements and link
Any student enrolled at a university in Germany or in any of the EU-27 countries can attend. If you're interested in participating, please send us an email and we'll keep you updated: founder-fundamentals@engine.hpi.de
Fee
free
Team budget
HPI Founder Scholarship
Participants
Maximum number of Participants
Room (Location)
Key dates
Learning and Teaching Methods
The program is structured around practical, hands-on learning experiences featuring speakers with relevant expertise in the field assessed in the respective masterclass.
Program Structure
The masterclasses are spread over the term with bi-weekly sessions, allowing for flexibility and in-depth exploration of each topic.
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Below is an overview of the masterclasses and their key topics, designed as theoretical input and workshops:
Agenda Entrepreneurship Essentials Summer Term 2026
Week 1
Day 1
21.04.2026 at 13:30
Founder Stories: Insights from founders on turning ideas into reality
In a panel discussion, learn about different ways of and paths to entrepreneurship. Being an entrepreneur can mean more than founding a startup. To shed lights on these different trajectories we invite guests that all live their very own version of being entrepreneurs. We also use this session as an introductory session to the curriculum and answering all questions you might have before our class kicks off.
This is a repetition of our class at the start of the winter term.
Week 2
Day 2
05.05.2026 at 13:30
Leading a team
Learn to transition from founder-doer to leader by designing team structures, roles and collaboration rhythms that produce outcomes instead of busywork. We’ll cover leadership styles, hiring and onboarding, fostering startup culture, incentive design, and the behavioral levers that drive motivation and performance.
Week 3
Day 3
19.05.2026 at 13:30
Strategy
Next to no word gets thrown around that much. But what is a strategy and how does it differ from a plan and mere tactics? What makes a useful strategy and how can you come up with one? To make sure you never get lost in the jungle of strategy, we'll briefly cover the origins and earliest contributions to the topic by Sun Tsu and von Clausewitz and then make the transfer to todays' world: Why is it so hard to get strategy right, what strategy consultancies actually do and how you can start thinking more strategically to get more successful in your career, life and as a (future) founder.
Week 4
Day 4
02.06.2026 at 13:30
Impact and Viability in Startups
Are you curious about how startups create meaningful change while also building businesses that can last? Join us for an interactive university lecture on Impact and Viability in Startups, designed to give you a deeper understanding of how entrepreneurial ventures balance impact with economic sustainability. This lecture will guide you through the key ideas, tools, and strategies that help startups balance impact and viability. We will explore how founders turn purpose into action, test assumptions, and build ventures that combine value creation with long-term viability.
Week 5
Day 5
16.06.2026 at 13:30
Understanding VCs
This course provides a foundational introduction to the structure and logic of venture capital funds. Students will learn how VCs raise and allocate capital, the frameworks they use to evaluate opportunities, and the structure of the investment cycle. Particular attention will be paid to how investors balance risk and return, build strong portfolios, and maintain their relationships with founders. Through open discussion with experienced investors, participants will gain a deeper understanding of the decision-making processes within venture capital. The course is designed to equip future entrepreneurs with the ability to communicate effectively with investors and to critically assess the role of VC funding in entrepreneurial ecosystems.
Week 6
Day 6
30.06.2026 at 13:30
Being an employer
Understand everything that goes into being an employer - legally, personally and strategically.
Week 7
Day 7
14.07.2026 at 13:30
Optional Backup Day
In case we need to move one of the lectures on short notice, this would be our backup day. So please also block this date in your calender.
Week 8
Day 8
Week 9
Day 9
Week 10
Day 10
Week 11
Day 11
Week 12
Day 12
Week 13
Day 13
Week 14
Day 14
Week 15
Day 15
Week 16
Day 16
Week 17
Day 17
Week 18
Day 18
Week 19
Day 19
Week 20
Day 20
Founder Fundamentals Winter Term 2026/27
Week 1
Day 1
13.10.2026 at 3:15 pm
Info Session
The first session of Founder Fundamentals acts as an information session. We will cover the structure of the upcoming masterclasses, go over the examination and answer all questions that students might have. This should also act as a decision aid if you are still trying to figure out if this class is for you. Attendance is voluntary and no homework assignment will be given.
Week 2
Day 2
27.10.2026 at 3:15 pm
Navigating uncertainty
Founders rarely follow an exact path, and often have to make decisions with limited information, test assumptions, and continuously adapt their ideas.
You will be introduced to fundamental concepts and ways of thinking in entrepreneurship that are designed to navigate uncertainty, operate within unfamiliar environments, and make decisions that reduce these uncertainties.
Week 3
Day 3
10.11.2026 at 3:15 pm
Go to Market
More details regarding the content of this session will follow soon!
Week 4
Day 4
24.11.2026 at 3:15 pm
TBD
More details regarding the content of this session will follow soon!
Week 5
Day 5
08.12.2026 at 3:15 pm
How to find customers' needs
More details regarding the content of this session will follow soon!
Week 6
Day 6
05.01.2027 at 3:15 pm
Business Models
More details regarding the content of this session will follow soon!
Week 7
Day 7
19.01.2027 at 3:15 pm
Sales and Pricing
More details regarding the content of this session will follow soon!
Week 8
Day 8
02.02.2027 at 3:15 pm
Optional Backup Day
This date is optional and will be used if we have to cancel one of the above session on short notice.
Week 9
Day 9
Week 10
Day 10
Week 11
Day 11
Week 12
Day 12
Week 13
Day 13
Week 14
Day 14
Week 15
Day 15
Week 16
Day 16
Week 17
Day 17
Week 18
Day 18
Week 19
Day 19
Week 20
Day 20
Assessment Method
The course grade grade is based on active participation in masterclasses, submission of homework assignments, and an end-of-term presentation. Unlike traditional exams, Founder Fundamentals puts an emphasis on practical entrepreneurial skills rather than theoretical knowledge.
Homework Assignments
After each masterclass, participants are expected to complete and submit assignments that include reflections, interviews, scenarios, or presentations.
Stamp Card & Interview Session
Upon completing 5 workshops and the associated homework, students participate in a presentation to reflect on their progress, which is used to calculate their final grade.
Attendance Policy
Attendance in masterclasses is mandatory to qualify for credit conversion and grading.
Hendrik Laflör
Program Lead Students & Scientists
Requirements
Program Structure
Data Rights
Recommended readings to complement the workshops include:
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