Financing the venture is a key challenge faced by entrepreneurs who increasingly look for alternative options outside of classical venture capital. The “Crowdfunding” course is designed to equip students with the essential skills and knowledge to effectively plan and execute a crowdfunding campaign in the age of AI while providing them with an efficient way to validate demand for their product/service idea in the market. 

After receiving theoretical insights into key success factors when engaging with the crowd, students will work in teams to study existing crowdfunding campaigns in chosen industries after which they will apply this knowledge to a campaign of their own and pitch it to the class. The course follows an intensive sprint format of 2,5 days.

Upon successful completion of the “Crowdfunding” course, students will be able to:

•       Identify key success criteria of crowdfunding campaigns in a given sector and evaluate them
• Devise a campaign strategy codified in a campaign plan
• Design and execute a campaign page including ideation of sensible participation incentives that account for the unique aspects of the online crowd
• Create and leverage impactful pitch videos for investors for their startup idea (e.g., incorporating AI tools)
  
• Understand how a crowdfunding campaign fits into startups’ overall financing and marketing communications strategy

Students must attend at least 80% of all classes and events to successfully complete the course.

The “crowdfunding” course is a practice-oriented course which aims to deepen and extend the theoretical knowledge of entrepreneurship and venture finance while utilizing the tools of the trade in a simulated environment that they can directly apply to crowdfund their future startups. A guest speaker from industry will supplement the hands-on challenges. The course involves:

• Self-study and theoretical input through lectures and group discourse
• Team-based project work on financing challenges of realistic startup ventures
• Workshops and practical input from an industry expert
• Peer feedback and collaborative learning

30% Crowdfunding Campaign Plan (group grade, peer evaluation, more information provided at Kick-Off)

30% Crowdfunding Pitch (group and individual grade component – equal parts)

30% Active Class Participation (individual grade)

10% Reflection Reel (individual grade)

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