The course is run in a blocked format. Attendance at every block meeting is compulsory!

It is a lecture with seminar character, designed for a small group size.

The course is based on “problem-based learning” (PBL) as a method for acquiring knowledge and developing interdisciplinary competences and problem-solving skills.
The learning process is structured by the so-called PBL cycle:
1. analyze problem scenario
2. identify facts
3. generate hypotheses
4. identify knowledge deficits
5. apply new knowledge
6. abstract
7. and the cycle begins again with the identification of further facts.
The teacher guides the students through the PBL cycle and imparts the necessary methodological knowledge (e.g. for hypothesizing).

The students acquire knowledge about network management in start-up processes by means of a “vignette”/case study. The practice-orientated case constellation, outlined on a few pages, illustrates the abstract topic of the course and requires a practicable solution proposal, for which, however, a theoretical derivation is necessary. The groups therefore also develop the theoretical foundation for the topics of the course.

The module (4 SWS) includes discussions, impulses from the teacher and presentations of the results in plenary sessions as well as teamwork in small groups. The teacher supports the teamwork.

• slides of presentation, group presentation (50% of the final grade)
• individual solution proposal in the form of a written essay (17.000 characters, incl. spaces) (50% of the final grade)

4

Basic literature:
• Kuckertz, A., Leicht, T., Scheu, M., Da Silva Wagner, I., & Ebersberger, B. (2025). Mastering Your Entrepreneurial Journey: From Vision to Venture. Springer Nature Switzerland.
Further references will be announced during the course.

Summer term

Students who have participated in the Master's course "Network Management in Start-Up Processes":
• understand the basic principles of network management in business start-ups, both theoretically and practically
• are able to identify and consider success factors for business start-ups
• know how challenges and hurdles in the network process of start-ups can be overcome
• are able to meet the special requirements of network management that exist when founding purpose-driven companies
• possess the ability to evaluate network requirements according to specific start-up contexts by themselves

5