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 | 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: | |
| APSC 3833 | Prototyping |
| COMM 4664 | New Venture Design (highly recommended for Entrepreneurship option) |
| COMM 3835 | Innovation Leadership |
| COMM 386I | Innovation and Sustainability |
| COMM 386L | Impact Investing: Social Finance in the 21st Century |
| COMM 3886 | Design Methods for Business Innovation |
| COMM 3897,8 | Creativity in Business |
| COMM 4709 | Venture Capital |
| COMM 48210 | New Product Development |
| COMM 48511 | Social Entrepreneurship |
| COMM 486G | Intrapreneurship (not offered in 2018W) |
| COMM 486W12 | Creative Destruction Lab Venture Program |
3 Formerly numbered COMM 386P. If you've completed the course as COMM 386P, you are not permitted to take it again as APSC 383 (you cannot receive credit for the same course twice).4 COMM 466 is a six-credit, by-application course. All six credits can be used toward Entrepreneurship option requirements or the credits can be split between Entrepreneurship and other degree requirements. Visit the COMM 466 course page for application instructions and a full list of the different combinations in which the six course credits can be used toward your degree requirements. Note that you can receive credit for only one of COMM 466 and COMM 497.5 Formerly numbered COMM 386D. COMM 383 may only be used to fulfill requirements toward either the Entrepreneurship or Organizational Behaviour and Human Resources option, but not both. If you've completed the course as COMM 386D, you are not permitted to take it again as COMM 383 (you cannot receive credit for the same course twice).6 Formerly titled Design Strategies for Business Innovation: Studio Practice.7 Formerly numbered COMM 486K and titled Creativity.8 COMM 389 may be used to fulfill requirements toward either the Entrepreneurship or Marketing option, but not both.9 Formerly numbered COMM 386G and titled Venture Capital and Angel Financing. COMM 470 may be used to fulfill requirements toward either the Entrepreneurship or Finance option, but not both. If you've completed the course as COMM 386G, you are not permitted to take it again as COMM 470 (you cannot receive credit for the same course twice).10 COMM 482 may be used to fulfill requirements toward either the Entrepreneurship or Marketing option, but not both.11 Formerly numbered COMM 386E and titled Social Enterprise.12 Admission to COMM 486W is by application. Visit the COMM 486W course page for application instructions. Prior to 2019W COMM 486W was 3 credits. Starting in 2019W, COMM 486W will be 6 credits; all 6 credits can be used toward Entrepreneurship requirements or the credits can be split between Entrepreneurship (3 credits) and elective (3 credits) requirements. | |
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.