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.