Overview

Innovation and entrepreneurship are critical drivers of economic growth, organizational renewal, and societal progress. Rapid technological change, evolving markets, and increasing competitive pressures require business graduates who can identify opportunities, generate novel solutions, and translate ideas into sustainable value. Organizations today seek graduates who are not only operationally competent but also capable of leading innovation initiatives within startups, family enterprises, corporations, and social ventures.

The Minor in Innovation and Entrepreneurship is designed to complement core business education by emphasizing opportunity recognition, value creation, experimentation, and venture execution. The minor aligns with AACSB’s Innovation–Engagement–Impact framework and supports AKSOB’s strategic objectives related to experiential learning, industry relevance, and graduate employability.

Program Objectives

The Minor in Innovation and Entrepreneurship is expected to:

• Increase student participation in experiential and venture-based learning
• Enhance graduate readiness for entrepreneurial and innovation-oriented careers
• Strengthen engagement with startups, family businesses, and industry partners
• Support AKSOB’s strategic positioning in innovation-driven business education

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the Minor in Innovation and Entrepreneurship, students will be able to:

• Identify and evaluate innovation and entrepreneurial opportunities.
• Design, test, and refine innovative business models.
• Apply entrepreneurial finance and valuation tools to early-stage ventures.
• Demonstrate ethical reasoning and responsible leadership in innovation contexts.
• Communicate venture ideas effectively to diverse stakeholders.

Curriculum

The minor requires completion of 18 credits, divided into 9 credits of core courses and 9 credits of electives.

Core Courses (9 credits)

• FEM312   Digital Entrepreneurship (3 cr.)
• FEM333   Entrepreneurial Finance and Venture Valuation (3 cr.)
• MGT 411 & FEM 311   Innovation and Entrepreneurship & Start-up Lab (3 cr.)

Elective Courses (choose 9 credits)

Students select three elective courses from the following offerings:

• FEM301   Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management (3 cr.)
• FEM322   Entrepreneurial Marketing (3 cr.)
• FEM401   Corporate Governance (3 cr.)
• FEM488   Sp. Top. Frontiers in Entrepreneurship (3 cr.)
• FEMXXX   Social Entrepreneurship (3 cr.)
• FEMXXX   Family Governance, Succession Planning & Sustainability (3 cr.)
• GNE340   Engineering Entrepreneurship (3 cr.)
• LAS302   Inquiry for Innovation (3 cr.)