2nd Semester
Social Innovation & Entrepreneurship
From ideas to validated solutions
This program integrates design thinking with entrepreneurial fundamentals, enabling students to explore problem validation, solution development, and basic venture thinking.
Overview
In this course, students will be introduced to various sector-specific real-time scathing problems which are proceeding in the region. It is a process-oriented program facilitating teams to get an in-depth understanding of the problem and tuning the approach by building prototypes to create a plausible growth for the community through the solutions.
Course Outcomes
By the end of the course, students will be able to:
- Identify real-world social or market problems using design thinking and user-centric research methods.
- Conduct field research and stakeholder analysis to validate needs and uncover meaningful insights.
- Frame clear problem statements and develop compelling value propositions aligned with user needs.
- Generate, evaluate, and prototype feasible solutions for products or services.
- Develop and validate basic business models to assess solution viability and impact.
- Communicate ideas effectively through structured storytelling and professional pitch presentations.
FORMAT : Hybrid
DURATION : 12 Weeks
HOURS PER WEEK : 2 HOURS
NO OF VIDEO CONTENT : 12
NO OF ASSIGNMENTS : 6
Syllabus
Course Syllabus
Orientation & Innovation Mindset
Week 1
Students are introduced to the course objectives, expectations, and the fundamentals of innovation and entrepreneurship. The session focuses on cultivating curiosity, problem awareness, and a solution-oriented mindset through real-world examples.
Design Thinking & Opportunity Identification
Week 2
This week covers the core principles of design thinking, including empathy, ideation, and experimentation. Students learn how to identify opportunities by observing unmet needs and inefficiencies in everyday contexts.
Understanding Problem Contexts
Week 3
Students explore social, economic, and market-driven problem spaces. The focus is on understanding why problems exist, who they affect, and how context influences viable solutions.
Stakeholder Mapping & User Ecosystem Analysis
Week 4
Participants learn to identify key stakeholders and map user ecosystems. This helps students understand relationships, dependencies, incentives, and constraints that shape problem-solving and adoption.
Field Research & Need Validation
Week 5
This module introduces qualitative research methods such as interviews, observations, and surveys. Students validate real user needs by engaging directly with stakeholders and collecting primary insights.
Problem Framing & Value Proposition
Week 6
Students synthesize research findings to define clear, actionable problem statements. The session emphasizes aligning user needs with a compelling value proposition that addresses real pain points.
Ideation & Feasibility Assessment
Week 7
Participants explore structured ideation techniques to generate multiple solution concepts. Ideas are evaluated based on feasibility, desirability, and potential impact before selection.
Prototyping Products or Services
Week 8
Students create low- to mid-fidelity prototypes for their chosen solutions. The focus is on testing assumptions quickly and learning through iteration rather than building final products
Business Models & Solution Validation
Week 9
This week introduces basic business models and revenue logic. Students assess how their solution creates, delivers, and captures value while validating assumptions through feedback.
Communication, Storytelling & Pitching
Week 10
Participants learn how to communicate ideas clearly and persuasively. The session covers storytelling techniques, pitch structuring, and visual communication for different audiences.
Iteration & Impact Assessment
Week 11
Students refine their solutions based on feedback from users and mentors. The module also introduces impact assessment, helping teams evaluate social, economic, or market outcomes of their solutions.
Final Pitch Presentation & Evaluation
Week 12
Teams present their final solution through a structured pitch, showcasing the problem, research insights, proposed solution, and value proposition. Presentations are evaluated by mentors or a review panel based on innovation, feasibility, impact, and clarity of communication. The course concludes with feedback and reflection on learning outcomes.
learning experience
What Students Take Away
- Structured approach to innovation and entrepreneurship
- Understanding of problem-solution fit
- Practical exposure to pitching ideas
Students exploring startups, innovation roles, or impact projects.
Start building solutions with purpose.
