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Master Innovation and Entrepreneurship (M.A.)
Would you like to form a company and acquire the fundamental basics needed for a successful start-up? Or would you like to advance forward-looking fields after your Master and be a driving force for innovation as well as entrepreneurial thinking and action? If so, then the MBS program Master Innovation and Entrepreneurship is your first step towards success. This program will provide you with advanced economic knowledge, it will allow you to develop entrepreneurial thinking as well as equip you with the most important skills and tools to put your innovative ideas into practice - in a company as well as when starting your own business.Your Master Master Innovation and Entrepreneurship at MBS
Business Project: Together with your fellow students, you will carry out a project on behalf of a real company and apply your acquired knowledge in practice.
Internationality: International Focus, semester abroad, dual degree, international atmosphere - studying at Munich Business School is an international experience, because internationality is not only taught here, but lived.
Student Life: Thanks to the small campus in the heart of Munich and numerous student initiatives, students quickly come into contact with each other. With a wide range of leisure, cultural and sports activities, as well as good connections to the (European) surrounding area, Munich offers everything a student could wish for.
Your own start-up: Your dream is to become a founder? In the 3rd semester, you have the option of working on your own start-up. During the project, you will receive comprehensive support and coaching from lecturers.
Personal Support: Students at MBS learn in small and interactive courses. They are in direct and continuous exchange with the lecturers and receive individual support through a mentoring program.
Location Munich: Munich as a business location and the entire region offers students and graduates the best career opportunities. German global companies such as BMW, Allianz and Siemens have their headquarters in Munich, global players such as Microsoft, Intel and Sun Microsystems and also numerous start-ups appreciate the advantages of this location.

"Innovative ideas and entrepreneurial thinking and acting are especially important in times of great challenges. Successful new products and business models often arise out of necessity - whether to secure sales, give employees a perspective or contribute directly to solving global problems. This requires people who tackle things and make lasting changes. The Master's degree in Innovation and Entrepreneurship prepares our students well for this."
Prof. Dr. Anne Tryba
Academic Director Master Innovation and Entrepreneurship

Key Facts
Master Innovation and Entrepreneurship

What our students say about us
Career
Opportunities
What will I do after my studies? Which doors are open to me? In which professions do graduates of the Master Innovation and Entrepreneurship actually work? For an overview of the diverse career opportunities offered by the Master Innovation and Entrepreneurship, we present possible job profiles here.

What's the job?
You start your own start-up, either alone or in a team, and build it up from the initial business idea to a marketable product. In addition to product development, you will also be responsible for recruiting and managing employees, building networks and partnerships, securing financing and guaranteeing long-term growth.
The following course contents in the Master's program will prepare you for this:
- Entrepreneurial Strategies
- Ideation, Pitching & Prototyping
- Business Modelling & Planning
- Resource Aquisition
- Scaling Start-ups
- Social & Sustainable Entrepreneurship

What's the job?
Even in already established companies, students of the Master Innovation and Entrepreneurship are in demand. In the fields of Corporate Innovation, Corporate Entrepreneurship, Strategy or Business Development, you will act as an innovation driver, identify and develop new products and business ideas, establish an innovation culture or initiate cooperation with innovative start-ups. In this way, you will ensure the future viability of the Group.
The following course contents in the Master's program will prepare you for this:
- Corporate Entrepreneurship
- Open Innovation
- Innovation & New Product Development Strategies
- Managing and Deploying Innovation Projects
- Innovation Branding, Marketing & Sales

What's the job?
You don't want to start your own start-up, but still want to be active in the start-up scene? Join an existing start-up and make an important contribution to establishing it in the market, to grow more strongly and to expand internationally. Or work in an incubator/accelerator and support start-ups in implementing their ideas, scaling up, acquiring the necessary resources and establishing contacts with investors, customers and partners. Or, as an investor, evaluate up-and-coming start-ups and help to secure their financing (private equity, venture capital).
The following course contents in the Master's program will prepare you for this:
- Entrepreneurial Support Systems, Teams & Networks
- Growth & Exit Strategies
- Design Thinking & Lean Start-up
- Entrepreneurial Finance
- Protecting Innovation and Intellectual Property

What's the job?
You have grown up with the family business of your parents or other relatives and are now planning to join the company. For a sustainable and successful takeover, it is important to know the operative business and the areas of the company and at the same time to have an eye on the challenges of the future. With the necessary overview and foresight, you will recognize innovations, drive change projects forward and introduce them into existing structures. In this way, you will ensure the future viability of the Group in the next generation and ensure that your family business can continue to provide innovative impetus.
The following course contents in the Master's program will prepare you for this:
- Firm Capabilities and Approaches Facilitating Innovation and New Product Development
- Growth and Turnaround Strategies
- Organizing for Innovation
- Evaluating and Choosing Innovation Projects
- Succession and Exit Planning

What's the job?
As a consultant in strategy and innovation consulting, you will advise companies and start-ups on various questions and problems. You know what needs to be considered when founding and developing a start-up, understand how companies need to change, are familiar with current technological trends and drive innovative processes, changes and decisions. For the job as a consultant, an entrepreneurial spirit is particularly required: you are innovative, curious, creative and always looking for new approaches and solutions.
The following course contents in the Master's program will prepare you for this:
- Entrepreneurial Mindset and Decision-Making
- Technology Trends
- Collaboration Strategies & Customer/User Interaction
- Fundamentals of Digital Marketing Mix
- Innovation and Entrepreneurship in International Contexts

Our
Master IE in Numbers

Contents
Program-specific Modules
The Program-specific Modules of the Master Innovation and Entrepreneurship prepare you optimally for your successful career in your own start-up or start-up ecosystem, in a family business, in consulting or in the innovation department of a company: In small groups, you will learn to develop your own business ideas, draw up business plans and to set up, manage and scale a start-up. In addition, you will acquire comprehensive knowledge of how to successfully identify, manage and implement innovations that enable you to operate successfully in an international context. By closely integrating current research and practical project work with innovative companies, we encourage your entrepreneurial thinking and acting so that you can contribute creatively and sustainably to finding solutions for today's problems!
Business Project
An integral part of the Master's program in Innovation and Entrepreneurship is the Business Project. On behalf of a real company, you will work together with your fellow students on a concrete, practice-relevant issue and will be able to apply and prove your skills in practice.
Core Modules
The Core Modules of the master’s program convey knowledge and skills on general topic areas of business. Courses on international management, business communication, responsible management, and your international focus – which you are free to choose – will give you an understanding of economic interrelations in a globalized and multicultural world. The courses will encourage you to engage and critically analyze a range of topics, helping you to get to grips with practical methodologies and models. The Core Modules are interdisciplinary, so that you can exchange ideas with students from other Master's programs and work together on joint projects.
Electives
You round off your profile by completing the Electives, your personal elective courses. Here you have the opportunity to enrich your Master Innovation and Entrepreneurship with an individual component, for example by taking courses on Social Entrepreneurship, Technology Trends or "Success Factor Happiness" or by working on a research project.
Course of Studies Master Innovation and Entrepreneurship
SEMESTER 1
INNOVATION & ENTREPRENEURSHIP MODULES
Sub-Modules:
Entrepreneurial Mindset and Business Design
Innovation Strategy
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- Learn how to act with an entrepreneurial and innovator’s mindset and to leverage ecosystems and available resources.
- Identify opportunities of sustainable, social, corporate, academic, public, and family entrepreneurship and apply adequate entrepreneurial strategies.
- Learn how to manage cultural, behavioral, organizational, international, collaborative, technological, and personal factors impacting innovation.
- Apply strategies to implement innovation and new product development fitting the specific context.
Sub-Modules:
Ideation, Design Thinking & Prototyping I
Lean Startup, Usability Testing & Prototyping II
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- Apply design thinking, the lean startup approach, and hypothesis-driven experimentation to identify, analyze, and solve a key problem.
- Experience creativity and storytelling techniques, apply business modeling and practice your successful pitch.
- Get familiar with the principles of user experiences and interfaces, prototyping metrics, and agile development, and apply usability testing tools and techniques.
- Actively participate in a Google Design Sprint to solve a real company challenge.
Work independently in small teams on a real project for a startup/an established innovative company throughout semester 1 and 2:
- Define project content, working modes, and objectives in collaboration with the business partner.
- Benefit from guidance and continuous supervision of MBS professors.
- Receive training in e.g., professional collaboration and project management, structured problem solving, and sound market analysis.
INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS & MANAGEMENT MODULES
Sub-Modules:
International Strategic Management
Organizational Behavior
Conscious Business
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- Learn about the drivers of globalization, related strategic models, and how to apply them in business operations.
- Study the relationships between individual, organization, and society and reasons for behaviors in organizations.
- Develop an understanding for alternative business practices compared to traditional profit orientation as the core goal of a business based on the four tenets of Conscious Capitalism as well as best practices in the field of Conscious Business.
Choose 1 out of 3
- Business in Germany
- Business in Latin America
- Business in China
Gain insights into business practices and current business topics in the chosen region based on an understanding of the social background as well as the economic and political system in the respective region.
Choose 1 out of 3:
- Spanish
- Chinese
- German
Depending on the level, learn the appropriate grammar and vocabulary skills to advance to the next level of language proficiency.
EXECUTIVE SKILLS
Sub-Modules:
Business Communication
Business Ethics
Negotiation Skills
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- Identify and master the challenges of business communication particularly in an international and intercultural context.
- Study and discuss topical and controversial business ethics issues as well as the philosophical origins of ethics.
- Learn how to use effective communication skills as well as manage the human behavior dynamics in the negotiation process.
Feel a stronger sense of belonging to the MBS community by actively engaging in a variety of extracurricular offerings.
Semester 2
INNOVATION & ENTREPRENEURSHIP MODULES
Sub-Modules:
Resource Acquisition
Innovation Branding, Marketing, & Sales
Business Planning
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- Identify and prepare all activities and resources for creating a new venture ensuring funding, business operation, human capital acquisition, and IP protection.
- Evaluate, write, and pitch a business plan for creating a new venture.
- Develop a branding strategy, concept, and plan for innovation and learn how to create, implement, and test digital marketing campaigns for innovations.
- Learn techniques for internal and external innovation storytelling and get to know how to establish sales channels for innovations.
Sub-Modules:
Open & Sustainable Innovation
Managing Innovation Projects
Scaling Startups
-------------
- Learn how to evaluate, manage, and implement open and closed innovation activities and strategies and participate in an open innovation challenge.
- Practically apply how to Identify, assess, and realize sustainable innovation activities and tactics.
- Acquire experiences in scaling startups, managing business growth, and preparing exit strategies and turnarounds, and learn how to deal with failure and bankruptcy.
- Learn how to detect, evaluate, choose and manage innovation projects and new project development in organizations.
Choose 2 out of 4:
- Technology Trends
Learn how to identify and analyze technology trends and their implications for management and society and practically create use cases, strategies, and business models. - Understanding Social Startups
Learn about the implications of social entrepreneurship and practically experience how to develop social business models, scale social impact, and measure social performance. - Independent Research Project
Learn how to and develop a scientific paper, publication, working paper (or similar) on a self-chosen research topic in consultation with a faculty mentor. - Success Factor Happiness
Personally experience the concepts of happiness, mindfulness, higher purpose, compassion, and gratitude through specific exercises and learn from best practices how to apply them in a work environment to increase (among others) subjective well-being, health, productivity, and satisfaction and decrease stress.
Work independently in small teams on a real project for a startup/an established innovative company throughout semester 1 and 2:
- Define project content, working modes, and objectives in collaboration with the business partner
- Benefit from guidance and continuous supervision of MBS professors
- Receive training in e.g., professional collaboration and project management, structured problem solving, and sound market analysis
INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS & MANAGEMENT MODULES
Choose 1 out of 5:
- Business in Europe
- Business in Latin America
- Business in China
- Business in USA and Canada
- Business in Emerging Economies (India, Africa)
Use case studies, business simulations, in-depth reports as well as expert knowledge to understand the complexities of the business environment in the chosen region from a cultural, economic, social, political, and legal perspective.
Choose 1 out of 3:
- Spanish
- Chinese
- German
Depending on the level, learn the appropriate grammar and vocabulary skills to advance to the next level of language proficiency.
EXECUTIVE SKILLS MODULES
Sub-Modules:
Responsible Leadership
Business & Society
Master Thesis Preparation
------------
- Learn how to lead and manage people in business in a responsible way, including how to motivate and support people depending on the given circumstances, personality, and culture.
- Get familiar with the origin and development of different cultural core beliefs, value systems and how they define business practices from a top management perspective.
- Learn how to collect, evaluate, assess and present the state of the art in the academic discipline regarding a specific research question.
Feel a stronger sense of belonging to the MBS community by actively engaging in a variety of extracurricular offerings.
Semester 3
For your third semester in the Master Innovation and Entrepreneurship you have three different options. You set the focus yourself.
Last but not least: writing you Master Thesis
Business
Project

Business Project
It's not just a theory. During the Business Project in the Master Innovation and Entrepreneurship program, you will work on a concrete, practice-relevant project over a period of two semesters on behalf of and together with a start-up, a company from the start-up ecosystem (e.g. Investor, Accelerator) or the innovation department of an established company (e.g. group, family business) in a team. This will give you a better understanding of the internal processes and structures of the start-up/company and at the same time give you the opportunity to apply and prove your acquired skills in practice. Concrete projects are, for example, the development of an international market entry strategy for a mobility start-up or the analysis of the effects of disruptive innovations for a private equity company.
Internationality
Studying at Munich Business School is an international experience, because internationality is not only taught but also lived. This is why studying abroad is an integral part of our programs. MBS maintains partnerships with over 60 universities worldwide and is continuously expanding its international network. The cooperations range from classic programs such as ERASMUS+ and exchange programs to over 20 dual-degree agreements with partners in Europe, Asia, Australia, and the USA.
Dual Degree
With the dual degree option, you acquire an additional, specialized Master's degree from one of our partner universities.Munich Business School's cooperation with renowned international universities gives you the opportunity to acquire two different master's degrees within two years. For a dual degree, you will normally spend two semesters at MBS and then two semesters at the partner university, followed by the Master's thesis.
Mentoring Program

You have the opportunity to apply for our exclusive mentoring program. Within the framework of this program, a professionally experienced person from the circle of MBS alumni will support you with words and deeds during the hot phase of your studies, help you to achieve your career goals and provide you with valuable contacts through their network.
At the beginning of your studies, you will receive more information about our mentoring program and can apply for one of the limited places until the end of September. In October, the mentoring committee makes its decision and in November, the selected mentees meet their mentors. The mentoring meetings will take place between November 2021 and August 2022.
Guest lectures in the Master Innovation and Entrepreneurship
The study program at MBS thrives on numerous exciting guest lectures with speakers who provide a direct insight into practice and the working world. Here is a small selection from our numerous guest lectures that have already taken place in the Master Innovation and Entrepreneurship.

Guest Lecture with Gregor Gimmy from 27pilots
Munich Business School was pleased to welcome Gregor Gimmy, founder and CEO of 27pilots, for a guest lecture.

Guest Lecture from Deepa Gautam-Nigge
Gautam-Nigge, Head of SAP Next-Gen Innovation Network Munich, shared with us her insights and experiences on "Driving Corporate Innovation in the New World of Ecosystems".

Guest Lecture Michael Gröger from GERMANTECH
MBS alumnus Michael Gröger, Managing Director at GERMANTECH, gave the students an insight into how innovation can be driven in established companies.

Guest Lecture Peter Fricke from Deutsche Börse Venture Network.
Peter Fricke, Head of Deutsche Börse Venture Network, shared valuable insights into growth financing for startups.

Guest lecture Dr. Robert Börner and Dr. Benjamin Grau from Murgitroyd
Patent attorneys Dr. Robert Börner and Dr. Benjamin Grau from Murgitroyd explained how start-ups can protect their intellectual property.

Guest Lecture Daniel Rosson from Celonis
MBS alumnus and Head of GTM Strategy & Ops EMEA at Celonis Daniel Rosson used the example of Celonis, which started as a small student project, to show how to scale start-ups and develop them into global unicorns.

Guest Lecture Julian Klaiber from Munich Venture Partners
MBS alumnus Julian Klaiber, Investment Associate at Munich Venture Partners, shared with the students in his guest lecture how venture capital firms evaluate and select promising start-ups for investment.
Lecturers in the Master Innovation and Entrepreneurship

Professor for Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Academic Director Master Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Vita

Professor for International Business and General Management
Vita

Professor for Entrepreneurship
Vita

Professor for International Business and Managerial Economics
Academic Director Master International Business
Vita

Professor for International Management
Vice Dean for Research
Academic Director Master Sports Business and Communication
Vita
Lecturer for Business Planning
Co-Founder Digital Learning Lab
Professor at Hochschule München, University of Applied Sciences

Lecturer for Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Vita
Entrepreneur and Co-Founder socialbee
CEO & Founder at Betterfront
Co-Founder Digital Learning Lab
Professor at Hochschule München, University of Applied Sciences

Lecturer for Entrepreneurial Mindset & Business Design
Vita
Managing Director HYVE Innovate GmbH
AI Strategist at appliedAI Initiative
Lecturer for Managing Innovation Projects

Lecturer for Innovation and Digital Business
Vita
Alumni
Application

In order to qualify for the Master Innovation and Entrepreneurship study program, you must fulfill academic, linguistic, and to some extent professional requirements.
You may submit your application documents at any time. Since the places are limited, we advise you to apply for your desired study start as early as possible.
Admission Requirements
The main requirement for admission to the Master Innovation and Entrepreneurship study program is a successful Bachelor's degree (180 ECTS or more). Applicants with a degree in Business Studies/Management/Economics are entitled to apply for the program directly, applicants without a degree in economics can qualify for the program by completing the Pre Master Program. Upon request, we will gladly verify your documents in advance. Please contact your Program Advisor.
English Proficiency
Applicants must proof their English language skills by passing one of the following language tests:
- TOEFL ibt: minimum 85 (min. 22 in writing and min. 20 in all other bands; MBS TOEFL Institution Code: 5772)
- IELTS: minimum level of 6.5 – Academic Module
- ELS English for Academic Purposes: Advanced Level 112
Test results can only be accepted if achieved within the last two years. If you are unable to obtain your test results before handing in your MBS application, please inform us about your planned test date.
The English proficiency test can be waived by the following candidates:
- Applicants having completed their schooling in English (i.e., High School Diploma, IB)
- Applicants having completed their first academic degree in English
Application Process
When submitting your online application, please provide the following mandatory documents:
- Answering questions of motivation (various questions are available for selection during the online application process)
- Résumé/CV
- Copies of your graduation certificates* and/or current university transcripts*
You may also upload the following additional documents:
- recent photo of yourself (professional, in color with bright background)
- Copy of the school leaving certificate (e.g., Highschool Diploma, IB, Abitur)*
- Proof of English language proficiency (TOEFL, IELTS or ELS)
- Reference letters (if available)
- Scholarship application (statement of 1-2 pages)
*Please provide the original documents or certified copies when you gain admission and matriculate to the program.
Alternatively, you can also submit your written application.
Qualified applicants will be invited for a personal interview on site in Munich or online via Microsoft Teams (approx. 30 - 45 minutes). The interview may include the processing of a case study.
As soon as you are an admitted student, you have the opportunity to get to know MBS even better – before making your final decision whether to join Munich Business School.
Our study advisors will of course be available for all kinds of potential questions and personal consultations.
Once you have successfully completed the application process, Munich Business School will provide you with an acceptance letter as well as two copies of your study contract. Please sign one copy and return it within two weeks to secure your spot in the program. The other copy needs to be kept for your own records.
The acceptance to the study program requires an enrollment fee of 690 Euro (EU/EFTA) respectively 1,490 Euro (non-EU) and a deposit of 1,000 Euro due upon signing the study contract. The deposit will be deducted from your first tuition fee installment.
If you are a non-EU national, you are required to apply for a student visa in order start your studies in Germany. To obtain a visa invitation letter from Munich Business School, which is necessary to apply for the visa, please add a copy of your passport details page when handing in your signed study contract.
Munich Business School offers attractive scholarships. These are 20 - 40% for the 1st and 2nd Master semester. Students who show particular commitment can continue to receive support after the second semester.
The application for one of the scholarships is made together with the application for a study place. Further information can be found under "Scholarships and financing".
Tuition
Fees
The tuition fee is payable in three semester installments à 8,000 Euro or 18 monthly installments. The first rate is due upon the beginning of your studies and is be paid via bank transfer or PayPal.
Books, travel costs and accommodation not included in the overall tuition fee.
The non-refundable processing fee is due upon application, the one-time enrollment fee is due upon signing of the study contract. Both is be paid via bank transfer or PayPal.
Additional costs can incur for the semester abroad, depending on the partner university of your choice and depending on your choice to complete a dual degree.
Munich Business School offers attractive scholarships. Detailed information can be found here.

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