2122T1 TSM/Course
| HOME | | COURSE | | ITINERARY | | ROLE | | TEAM | | ORGANIZATION | | REFLECTION |
In this technopreneurship study mission (TSM), We will explore the startup ecosystem: Entrepreneurs, Technology, Business model, Financing, Community and Universities. Students will research top startups, correspond and mingle with entrepreneurs and work on problems together. Study mission include a visit to a city. And this include absorbing it's culture and people to learn how the city works. We hope to visit museums, theatres, sights, cultures, food and friends of SMU/Singapore depending on available time.
Virtual TSM is missing out on lots of interaction and the cultural experience of a global trip. Travel bubble is giving us some hope for possible travel. However, it is highly uncertain and we cannot hold our breath (Virtual TSM very likely). This TSM will try as much as possible to include a physical visit to a city and it depends on the progress of travel bubble agreement between Singapore and partner countries. We will only choose to travel if it is safe and without a quarantine. This may require students to be vaccinated and/or tested for Covid-19. To reduce the risk, the class project and research will be flexible. Students can choose to work on a project with a startup in Singapore, a video report of a Singapore company or work on your own startup. To tie this project with the city we may visit, we will explore the possibility of expanding the startup to this city. This allows you to research about the city late in the term if we get clearance to travel.
If all goes well with the travel bubble, we need to adhere to the policies in the city we will visit. This include wearing masks, social distancing, limited participation and grouping of student teams (A, B, C, etc). Thus, the organisations we visit, events we attend, cultural visits, travel methods (bus or public transport), etc may be restricted. Planning is key and precautions are advised. The travel bubble may require you to be vaccinated and/or take a Covid-19 test. If your test fail, you will be required to quarantine at your own expense. If you prefer not to take the risks and the rest of the team travels, you may have the option to join the travel virtually via zoom. If you are not up to these hassle and possibilities of not travelling, please do not take this class. We have limited the class size.
NOTE: This is written 10/4/21 (travel conditions may have changed)
This course will help
- Introduce students to the entrepreneurship scene in the city to visit.
- Students develop an understanding of the factors and ecosystem leading to a start-up.
- Inspire student entrepreneurs to start their own venture.
- Students understand how to start a technology company.
- Students to build relationships with the organisations we will visit.
- Students will form their own teams on first day of class.
- Student teams will need to find their own projects or organisations.
Students will be assessed on both in class and during the trip activities and conduct. The grade break down and project descriptions are listed below.
This course will be a pass/fail. To pass, you will need to get at least a B-. The grade breakdown is listed below.
| No | Time Frame | Topics | Assessment Type | Weighting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pre-Trip | Project Research/Presentation | Team | 30% |
| 2 | Trip role/Help others | Individual | 20% | |
| 3 | Trip | Discussion and Presentation | Individual | 15% |
| 4 | Trip role/Help others | Individual | 15% | |
| 5 | Reflection | Individual | 10% | |
| 6 | All | Wiki, Blog & Photos | Individual | 10% |
Here are the assignments:
- Pre Trip
- Teams may select one of the following projects.
- Team member start up project. This can be an existing business, a blog shop, a recipe, a do-good-er project such as Homage, or anything you have passion in. Write your own mission statement.
- A video report of a company of your interest. eg Love,Bonito yanolja Carson's skateboard Chef Chris Kong Property Lim Bountie
- Team select a project and work on mutually agreed problem statement:
- Teams are to research a selected or assigned organization, and on the country of visit for 'Global Exposure'. You may use the SMU Library resources or contact XIA Wei <weixia@smu.edu.sg>.
- Country: SMU-X Overseas Country Guides Australia
- Ecosystem: background, industry, culture, ecosystem, research universities, politics, aspiration, etc. Compared to Singapore.
- Company/founder culture/trait such as connections (companies, country, customer focus), support environment (government, business, infrastructure, society, market maturity, reputation), and personality/company culture (integrity, leadership, competitiveness, entrepreneurship, savviness, creativity, innovativity, dynamicity, risk taking, commitment to technology, excellent communication, team spirit, fun seeking, etc).
- Organization: background, motivation, challenges, investments/employee stock ownership plan/intellectual property, strategy/business model/IPO, culture/personalities/politics/connections, etc.
- Individual contributions in the role you play in planning for the trip, and in getting organizations to visit.
- Teams may select one of the following projects.
- During the Trip (if it happens)
- Teams will ask questions, when the opportunity presents itself. Each team will introduce their company, present the focus and recommend improvements. Each team will have a backup team to support them (taking photos, questions, follow up, etc)
- Individuals will keep a journal/blog/diary/tweet (with video, photo, links, etc.) on the discussion and company visits. Focus on learning points and reflections. Compile your journal in the individual reflection page.
- Post Trip
- Reflection on your research
- Key takeaways (2) or learning points from the organization
- Quotes from presenter/senior management/owner/founder
- Recommendation on how the trip can be improved further
All acts of academic dishonesty (including, but not limited to, plagiarism, cheating, fabrication, facilitation of acts of academic dishonesty by others, unauthorized possession of exam questions, or tampering with the academic work of other students) are serious offences. All work (whether oral or written) submitted for purposes of assessment must be the student’s own work. Penalties for violation of the policy range from zero marks for the component assessment to expulsion, depending on the nature of the offense.
When in doubt, students should consult the instructors of the course. Details on the SMU Code of Academic Integrity may be accessed at http://www.smuscd.org/resources.html.
There will be several classroom meetings to organize the course, trip and research. Students will meet in classroom to present their research findings. The teams are required to update their progress using the wiki.
| Class (Week) | Topics | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Course introduction, team formation and organization assignment. | Roles, Teams and Organisation. Team and group photos. |
| 2 | Organization groupings for each team and trip planning | Trip itinerary and Organisation Grouping. Clarify problem statement. |
| 3 | Inspiration from Guests! | |
| 6 | Confirm company visits. | Sector Research and Contact (reorganise grouping). Work on solution to problem statement |
| Week 8: Break. | ||
| 11 | Present research project (first come first serve). | Research result and business proposal/innovation |
| 12 (Nov3-4 Deepavali) | Present research project (first come first serve). | |
| 16 | Reconfirm itinerary with companies | Company brief due |
| 17 | Visit company and have fun. | Reflection |
