Entrepreneurial Startup Lab: Innovating for Sustainable Futures  - BIP

From a sustainable idea to a market-ready pitch in an international team.

General Information

Host university
University of Florence
Teacher, lecturer
Monica Faraoni
Topic
Environmental change and Well-Being
Target group
Bachelor's
Master's
Teaching format
Blended
Teaching language
English
Dates
1 to 5 Feb 2027
Academic year
2026-2027
ECTS
3

Application

Application deadline: 04/10/2026

Apply here

For any questions, contact your local coordinator.

If your home institution is listed below, please check the funding requirements and selection criteria prior to applying:

Course description

The Blended Intensive Programme “Entrepreneurial Startup Lab: Innovating for Sustainable Futures” equips students with theoretical and practical tools to transform an entrepreneurial idea into a sustainable business concept aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Before travelling to Florence, participants attend a mandatory online session and prepare an individual proposal including a value proposition, customer segments, and preliminary market analysis.

During the five-day on-site phase, international and interdisciplinary teams select one idea and develop it through experiential, project-based learning. Lectures and teamwork cover the Business Model Canvas, customer discovery, market analysis, startup marketing, entrepreneurial finance, sustainability and value creation, leadership, pitching, business planning, and growth strategy. The programme concludes with a formal group presentation and project evaluation; students also develop a video pitch using AI-based tools for entrepreneurial storytelling.
 

Schedule

• Online – Monday, 18 January 2027, 10:00–13:00 (Google Meet): programme presentation, definition of international groups, and explanation of the individual preparatory business-idea assignment.

• Monday, 1 February: welcome and campus tour; team pitches and idea selection; Introduction to the Business Model Canvas; guided Florence city tour.

• Tuesday, 2 February: Customer Discovery and Market Analysis; team project work; Marketing Strategy for Startups; team project work.

• Wednesday, 3 February: Entrepreneurial Finance and Financial Feasibility; team project work; Innovation, Sustainability and Value Creation; team project work.

• Thursday, 4 February: Entrepreneurial Leadership, Teamwork and Pitching; team project work; Business Planning and Growth Strategy; team project work; social event.

• Friday, 5 February: final group project presentations; project evaluation and announcement of the winning team; closing lunch.

Requirements

None.