Entrepreneurship
Entrepreneurship involves disruptive thinking and action. Entrepreneurial thinking and methods are relevant not only to the creation of new ventures, but also to helping grow or fundamentally change existing companies. Corporate innovators or intra-preneurs work with the same skillset as traditional entrepreneurs who start new ventures.
Am I the right fit for this option?
This is a very applied and experiential program, building on solid conceptual foundations. Topics of study include the economic drivers of innovation and new ventures, financial models, creative thinking, and problem solving. In New Venture Design, the capstone course, students from the UBC Sauder School of Business, Applied Science and other faculties work in interdisciplinary teams to design a venture, build a prototype and develop the business model required to raise funding and possibly launch the venture.
To be successful in this option, you need to:
- have a curiosity about human nature, competition, and how things could be improved via disruptive approaches
- combine methodical ways of working with an ability to deal with ambiguity and messy, incomplete data
- be a team player with a strong work ethic and internal drive to excel
- learn from failure and experiments
Still undecided about Entrepreneurship? Try COMM 280
COMM 280 is our introductory entrepreneurship course that you can take for elective credit in Year 2 or 3. It's not a requirement for the Entrepreneurship option, but it's a great preview of what you can expect. You'll have an opportunity to explore your entrepreneurial potential by applying key concepts to a personal portfolio focused on your own innovative ventures.
Entrepreneurship option course requirements
| Year 3 | |
| COMM 3821 | The Economics of Entrepreneurship and Innovation |
| COMM 3872 | Entrepreneurial Finance |
1 Formerly numbered COMM 486T.2 Formerly numbered COMM 486X. | |
| Year 4 | |
| Nine credits from the following courses: | |
| COMM 4663,4,5 | New Venture Design (highly recommended) |
| COMM 386D6 | Innovation Leadership |
| COMM 386I | Innovation and Sustainability |
| COMM 386L | Impact Investing: Social Finance in the 21st Century |
| COMM 386P | Prototyping |
| COMM 3887 | Design Methods for Business Innovation |
| COMM 3898,9 | Creativity in Business |
| COMM 48210 | New Product Development |
| COMM 48511 | Social Entrepreneurship |
| COMM 486G | Intrapreneurship (not offered in 2017W) |
| COMM 486W | Creative Destruction Lab Venture Program |
3 From COMM 466, only 3 credits are applied to option requirements. The remaining 3 credits may be applied toward the COMM 49x requirement (equivalent to COMM 497) or Commerce elective requirement. Students may receive credit for only one of COMM 466 and COMM 497.4 COMM 466 may only be used to fulfill requirements toward either the Entrepreneurship or Marketing option, but not both.5 It is highly recommended that Entrepreneurship option students take COMM 466. Students must complete an application for COMM 466 by the submission deadline to be accepted and registered in the course.6 COMM 386D may only be used to fulfill requirements toward either the Entrepreneurship or Organizational Behaviour and Human Resources option, but not both.7 Formerly titled Design Strategies for Business Innovation: Studio Practice.8 Formerly numbered COMM 486K and titled Creativity.9 COMM 389 may only be used to fulfill requirements toward either the Entrepreneurship or Marketing option, but not both.10 COMM 482 may only be used to fulfill requirements toward either the Entrepreneurship or Marketing option, but not both.11 Formerly numbered COMM 386E and titled Social Enterprise. | |
If you are planning to take COMM 466 and take part in a study abroad program, it's recommended that you go on exchange in Year 3. COMM 466 is a two-term course that may not be taken until you have completed all requirements necessary to be promoted to Year 4.
Careers in Entrepreneurship
Entrepreneurship involves disruptive thinking and action - crucial not only to those wanting to create new ventures, but also to growing or changing existing companies. If you’re inquisitive, resilient and comfortable with ambiguity, this might be the option for you.