Entrepreneurship – From Idea to Impact

When: 11 October, 08:30- 12:30
Where: USI Executive Center, Lugano
Professors: Paulo Gonçalves

Turn Ideas into Action

Entrepreneurship is about more than having a great idea—it’s about turning that idea into a viable, impactful venture. The Entrepreneurship module of the USI EMBA gives executives the mindset, tools, and confidence to move from concept to execution.

Across two immersive days, participants will work hands-on on the Workhorse case, developing a business idea step-by-step: from testing customer needs to designing a business model, planning financials, and pitching the final concept.

Learn by Doing

Participants will:

• Discover how to develop a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) and apply the Customer Development process.

• Use the Business Model Canvas to map and validate their ideas.

• Build financial projections to assess the feasibility and attractiveness of a new venture.

• Practice pitching ideas convincingly and confidently in front of peers and faculty.

The course combines workshops, case discussions, and interactive sessions led by three of USI’s leading professors, blending theory and practice to create a powerful learning experience.

Meet the Faculty

Prof. Paulo Gonçalves
Professor of System Dynamics and Management, and Director of the USI EMBA, Prof. Gonçalves brings expertise from MIT and Cambridge Judge Business School. His work focuses on managerial decision-making, humanitarian operations, and sustainability.

Prof. Laurent Frésard
Professor of Finance at USI and Senior Chair of the Swiss Finance Institute, Prof. Frésard’s research explores the intersection of finance, markets, and innovation. He has taught at HEC Paris and the University of Maryland.

Prof. Suzanne Suggs
Full Professor of Social Marketing at USI and Vice-President of the Swiss School of Public Health, Prof. Suggs is an expert in communication and behavior change, with deep experience in teaching, research, and public engagement.

Experience the EMBA Classroom

Join us at the USI Executive Center for two dynamic days dedicated to entrepreneurial thinking and action.
Learn how to transform ideas into sustainable ventures and get a taste of the EMBA learning journey.

Economics for Executives – Understanding Markets to Make Better Decisions

When: 13 September (08:30 – 12:30)
Where: USI Executive Center, Blue Room
Professor: Lorenz Küng

We are back on campus!
At USI, we strongly believe in the value of classroom learning and in-person exchange. For this reason, the Economics for Executives module of our EMBA will be offered as a half-day immersive session. This class experience is part of our admissions process, designed to give candidates a first-hand taste of the EMBA learning journey.

Why Economics Matters for Executives

Every executive makes economic decisions daily—whether about pricing, investments, or strategic positioning in competitive markets. This session introduces the fundamental tools of microeconomic analysis and shows how to apply them to real business contexts.

Participants will:

• Learn how economists think and approach decision problems.

• Experiment with supply and demand models to understand market behavior.

• Analyze how firms make pricing and investment decisions under different cost structures.

• Explore challenges such as market inefficiencies, externalities, and the digital economy

Through an interactive case and discussion, executives will practice thinking like economists, gaining a powerful lens to interpret both firm-level and market-wide challenges.

Join Us at the Executive Center

This exclusive session provides a unique chance to experience the EMBA classroom atmosphere while engaging with one of our leading faculty members.

Come join us at the Executive Center, 13 September (08:30 – 12:30).
Limited places – book now at emba@usi.ch

Lorenz Küng BIO

Associate Professor of Economics

Prof. Lorenz Küng joined the Department of Economics at USI in 2019. He earned his PhD in Economics from the University of California, Berkeley, and degrees in economics and mathematics from the University of Fribourg, as well as a diploma from the Swiss National Bank’s Study Center Gerzensee.

Before USI, he was Assistant Professor of Finance at the Kellogg School of Management (Northwestern University), Faculty Research Fellow at the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER), and Research Economist at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago. He is a Research Affiliate of the CEPR (London) and Faculty Member of the Swiss Finance Institute (SFI).

His research focuses on household economics and finance, public finance, and applied macroeconomics. Recent work has examined the risks of owning versus renting housing, the impact of unconditional cash transfers on household consumption, and how borrowing constraints shaped fiscal policy during the financial crisis. His studies are published in leading journals such as the Quarterly Journal of Economics, Review of Financial Studies, Journal of Financial Economics, Management Science, and the Journal of Public Economics.

His work has also been featured in international media, including The Economist, Financial Times, The New York Times, Bloomberg, and NZZ.

At USI, Prof. Küng teaches Household Economics and Finance (Bachelor and PhD levels, jointly with SFI) and Corporate Finance at the Master’s level.

September 9th 6 PM • Executive Center

Step into the future of executive education and discover how the USI EMBA14 program can elevate your career trajectory. Join us for an exclusive evening where ambition meets opportunity, launching November 2025 through May 2027.

What Awaits You

• 12 transformative core courses + 2 specialized electives
• Boston Study Tour – immerse yourself in the epicenter of innovation
• Monthly intensive format: One asynchronous day + weekend deep-dive sessions
• Real-world project work spanning two months

Alumni Voices: Success Stories

Hear firsthand from our accomplished graduates who’ve leveraged their EMBA.

Prof. Paulo Gonçalves, Ph.D. MIT Sloan

Academic Director & Systems Thinking Pioneer

Professor Gonçalves brings MIT-caliber expertise to USI, specializing in the intersection of behavioral science and strategic decision-making. His groundbreaking research in humanitarian operations and system dynamics will reshape how you view complex business ecosystems.

Experience his unique teaching philosophy that transforms analytical minds into conscious leaders.

The Conscious Leadership Difference

In an era where stakeholder capitalism defines success, our curriculum weaves ethics and conscious leadership throughout every module. You’ll graduate not just as a business leader, but as a force for positive change – equipped to navigate ESG challenges, lead diverse teams, and create sustainable value.

Our Vision: Shaping global leaders who drive ethical transformation across industries.

Our Mission: Excellence in education through practical innovation, strategic thinking, and unwavering integrity.

Exclusive September 9th Benefits

Limited-time advantages for attendees

• 5% tuition reduction secured on the spot
• Up to 15% total financial aid through scholarships and incentives
• Priority consideration for program admission
• Networking reception with faculty, alumni, and fellow prospects

This intimate setting offers the perfect opportunity to ask detailed questions, connect with like-minded professionals, and envision your leadership evolution.

RSVP Essential: emba@usi.ch

Spaces are limited. Your transformation starts with a single decision.

We warmly welcome you to discover the future of executive education at one of our upcoming USI EMBA Open Days:

26 August, 6 PM, online
9 September, Executive Center
30 September, Executive Center
14 October, Executive Center

Whether you join us online or in person, this is your chance to explore our brand-new EMBA14 program, launching in November 2025 and running through May 2027.

OUR FORMULA

• 12 core courses + 2 elective courses
• 1 Study Tour in Boston, USA
• 1 course per month, with a 1-day asynchronous session and a weekend of intensive classes (Saturday and Sunday)
• 2 months project work

💡 Why Attend?

• Get a preview of the curriculum, admission process, and teaching philosophy.

• Meet our Academic Director, Prof. Paulo Gonçalves (Ph.D., MIT Sloan), and discover his unique systems thinking approach.

• Learn how ethics and conscious leadership are integrated throughout the program to cultivate responsible, forward-thinking leaders.

• Take advantage of exclusive benefits:

  • 5% tuition discount just for attending

  • Up to 15% in total financial aid (including scholarships & other incentives)

Ethics and conscious leadership

Our curriculum integrates ethics and conscious leadership, fostering leaders who drive positive, responsible change in the business world.

Vision & mission

Vision: USI EMBA aims to shape the next generation of global business leaders, instilled with ethical values to drive impactful change worldwide.

Mission: Through a commitment to excellence in education, our internationally experienced faculty bridge theory and practice in a dynamic learning environment. We emphasize innovation, sustainability, and strategic alliances, empowering our students to lead with integrity and make a meaningful impact in their industries and beyond.

Meet Our Academic Director – Paulo Gonçalves, Ph.D. MIT Sloan

Professor Paulo Gonçalves is a distinguished expert in management and the Director of the Humanitarian Operations Group at USI. He is also a Fellow at the University of Cambridge Judge Business School and a former Research Affiliate at MIT Sloan. His research integrates System Dynamics Simulation, Behavioral Experiments, and Econometrics to enhance managerial decision-making in humanitarian settings.

Reserve your spot today: emba@usi.ch

Transform Your Career: Discover the Future of Executive Leadership at USI EMBA 14

Your Journey to ethical global leadership starts here

June 3, 2025 | 6:15 PM | USI Executive Center

Are you ready to join the next generation of transformational business leaders? The USI Executive MBA is opening its doors to unveil EMBA 14 – a program designed for ambitious professionals who want to drive positive change while advancing their careers.

What awaits you:

• 6:15 PM: Discover the revolutionary EMBA 14 program with Academic Director Paulo Gonçalves, Ph.D. from MIT Sloan
• 6:45 PM: Hear inspiring success stories directly from our accomplished alumni and current students
• 7:00 PM: Get your questions answered in our interactive Q&A session
• 7:15 PM: Network with future classmates and faculty over aperitivo

The USI EMBA advantage: where vision meets impact

Our Mission: To shape ethical global business visionaries through excellence in education, led by world-class international faculty who seamlessly bridge theory and practice in intimate learning environments.

At USI EMBA, we don’t just teach business – we cultivate leaders who drive transformative change. Our program combines cutting-edge innovation with unwavering ethical foundations, empowering you to lead by example while pursuing a more sustainable and harmonious world.

A formula designed for success

The perfect balance: 18 months that will transform your career trajectory

• 12 Core Courses covering everything from strategic decision-making to sustainable finance
• 2 Elective Courses tailored to your specific interests and career goals
• 1 International Study Tour to Boston, USA – expanding your global perspective
• Monthly Intensive Format: One day of asynchronous learning followed by transformational weekend session
• 3-Month Final Project – apply your learning to create real strategic impact in your organization

Meet Your Academic Director: Paulo Gonçalves

Paulo Gonçalves, Ph.D. MIT Sloan, brings unparalleled expertise to your learning journey. As Professor of Management at USI and Director of the Humanitarian Operations Group, he’s also a Fellow at Cambridge Judge Business School and former MIT Sloan Research Affiliate. His groundbreaking research in behavioral decision-making and humanitarian operations has earned him the Intel Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship and the prestigious CSCMP Doctoral Dissertation Award.

What set us apart: The USI EMBA Experience

Personalized Excellence: Small class sizes ensure every participant receives individualized attention and support tailored to their unique goals and learning style.

Global Perspective: Learn alongside diverse professionals from various industries and countries, creating an intellectually stimulating environment that cultivates a truly international mindset.

Practical Impact: Every lesson connects to real-world application through team-based projects, live case studies, and your final strategic project.

Swiss Quality, Global Reach: Based in Lugano, Switzerland, you’ll benefit from world-renowned Swiss educational standards while accessing Europe’s major business and cultural centers.

Your Career transformation awaits

Our alumni don’t just advance their careers – they revolutionize them. By showcasing ethics and conscious leadership throughout our curriculum, we prepare leaders who succeed professionally while contributing positively to the business world and society at large.

Exclusive Open Day benefits

Limited-Time Opportunity: 
Simply by joining us on June 3rd, you’ll secure a 10% tuition discount upon enrollment. Combined with our available scholarships and financial assistance options, eligible participants can receive up to 15% total savings.

Invest in yourself

Reserve your place today email: emba@usi.ch