Bournemouth, 23rd-24th June 2008

Workshop venue: Bournemouth University, Lansdowne Campus, Bournemouth House, 19 Christchurch Road, Bournemouth BH1 3LH

Monday 23 June

09:00 - Welcome, Introductions and Session 1

Industry and software entrepreneurship: how does software entrepreneurship fit into the wider discussion of innovation and growth driven by entrepreneurship; in what ways does software entrepreneurship differ from entrepreneurship in other industries? Why was the software management curriculum created?

Group exercise 1: Experiences and challenges in preparing students to be software entrepreneurs

10:30 - Coffee break 11:00 - Session 2

Presenting examples of how certain universities are preparing students for software entrepreneurship, 5-7 min each

What, why, how and challenges encountered

Group exercise 1: Reports

12:30 - Lunch 13:15 - Session 3

Introduction to the curriculum

Overview of curriculum modules 1-3

o Module 1: Creativity and innovation - understanding the creative process as it impacts entrepreneurship, and assessing four different models of innovation

o Module 2: Environmental analysis - what are the challenges the firm faces in the environment, including an assessment of Porter's Five Forces model in the software context

o Module 3: Identifying market opportunities: How risk and uncertainty create opportunities for entrepreneurs

Case study 1: How software entrepreneurship differs from entrepreneurship in general - introduction to case study

15:00 - Tea break 15:30 - Session 4

Group exercise 2: How to use Case Study 1

Group exercise 2: Reports

Introduction to curriculum modules 4-6

o Module 4: Value analysis - Applying Porter's value chain approach to the software industry

o Module 5: Screening ideas for value - techniques helping entrepreneurs understand how they (and their potential investors!) screen possible ideas to unearth the best software opportunities

o Module 6: Leadership - Understanding the impact of entrepreneurship on management behaviour and skills

17:30 - Close 18:30 - Meet for evening drinks and dinner at the hotel


Tuesday 24th June

09:00 - Session 5

Case Study 2: Assessing a company's position in its industry's value system - introduction to case study

Group exercise 3: How to use Case Study 2

10:30 - Coffee break 11:00 - Session 6

Group exercise 3: Reports

Introduction to Modules 7-9

o Module 7: Business planning: strategies and errors in software markets

o Module 8: Financing a software venture - different types of debt and equity finance, and the approaches needed to raise funding

o Module 9: Harvest strategies - analysing alternative exits for software entrepreneurs, including M&A, IPOs and bankruptcy

12:30 - Lunch 13:15 - Session 7

An industry perspective: real-world experiences of a software entrepreneur; how can software companies work with universities to support software entrepreneurship teaching

Action plan for delivery of the software entrepreneurship curriculum, including opportunities for building a community of trainers

15:30 - Close