Singapore Management University (SMU) 13

Singapore Management University

Topic: Entrepreneurship & Digital Innovation

13 – 17 December 2026

Course Description – Entrepreneurship & Digital Innovation

The future belongs to the builders. This fast-paced, hands-on course turns your big ideas into real-world solutions. You won’t just read about businesses – you will build one!

We will break down how modern tech companies launch, pivot & scale. You’ll explore the intersection of entrepreneurial strategy & cutting-edge tech, learning how to leverage artificial intelligence (AI), no-code development platforms, as well as digital marketing to bring a product from concept to launch. By the end of this course, you will have built a business model for your entrepreneurship venture & a pitch deck ready for investors.

This course immerses students in the entrepreneurial journey by combining experiential business simulation with practical start-up methodologies. Students work in teams to conceptualize, launch & manage a simulated venture in a dynamic & competitive environment.

The course introduces critical tools and concepts for building a start-up, including Business Model Canvas, Digital Innovation, Market Validation, Financial Planning, Go-to-Market Strategies & The Art of the Pitch. Through team collaboration, mentorship & pitch presentation, students gain hands-on experience in decision making, strategy & business execution, mirroring real-world entrepreneurial challenges.

The course emphasizes experiential learning by encouraging students to experiment like real entrepreneurs while building both business acumen as well as creative problem-solving skills.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course, students should be able to:

Develop & validate a business model using the Business Model Canvas.
Learn about Digital Innovation & how to leverage of AI platforms to build innovative entrepreneurial venture.
Formulate Go-to-Market Strategies that effectively target customer segments.
Integrate functional business decisions (marketing, operations, finance) to optimize venture performance.
Communicate entrepreneurial ideas clearly and persuasively to internal & external stakeholders.
Collaborate in teams to create a venture idea.

Lesson Plan & Learning Outcomes by Session

Session 1 – Ideation, Business Model Foundations & Go-to-Market Strategies
Topics:

Introduction to entrepreneurship, team formation & venture ideation
Business Model Canvas: focusing on value proposition, customer segments,channels & revenue streams
Key steps to starting a business & opportunity evaluation
Developing go-to-market (GTM) strategies: positioning, pricing, channels

Session Learning Outcomes:

Identify viable business opportunities
Develop a preliminary business model using the Business Model Canvas
Communicate ideas clearly within teams
Formulate a coherent GTM strategy

Session 2 – Digital Innovation
Topics:

Applied AI & automation
Data-driven growth
Digital ethics, security & future tech trends

Session Learning Outcomes:

Streamlining startup operations by leveraging artificial intelligence.
Understanding how modern digital platforms acquire, retain & monetize users on a tight budget using digital marketing, web analytics
Conducting a digital risk assessment, ensuring that the business concept respects user privacy regulations & minimizes algorithmic bias

Session 3 – Functional Integration, Performance Optimization & Iteration
Topics:

Learning to integrate marketing, operations & financial decision-making
Business communication for stakeholders & team coordination
Analysing KPIs, revenue & cost performance
Managing competitive dynamics & risk
Pivoting and iteration: refining business model & strategy
Preparing for final venture pitch

Session Learning Outcomes:

Align functional decisions to achieve business objectives
Present & defend business decisions effectively
Evaluate venture performance using financial and operational metrics
Iterate and refine strategies based on market feedback
Develop structured and persuasive business presentations

Session 4 – Venture Pitch & Reflection
Topics:

Final team presentations: business model, GTM strategy, outcomes
Pitching to “investors” (class/instructor panel)
Reflection on entrepreneurial learning & decision-making

Session Learning Outcomes:

Deliver a compelling entrepreneurial pitch to a professional audience
Reflect critically on decision-making & iteration process
Extract actionable insights for real-world start-up challenges

About the Trainer

Dr Yuanto Kusnadi

Dr. Yuanto Kusnadi Associate Professor of Accounting (Education) SMU School of Accountancy

Dr. Yuanto Kusnadi is an Associate Professor (Education) at the School of Accountancy of the Singapore Management University. Dr. Kusnadi has over 15 years’ academia experience in accounting and finance. He has been doing applied research on issues in corporate finance, accounting, and corporate governance for international firms. His research papers have been published in prestigious international journals such as Journal of Business, Journal of Corporate Finance, Journal of Business Ethics, and more. Dr. Kusnadi served on the programme selection committee of several international conferences. His research has also been profiled in the Straits Times, the Business Times, Lianhe Zaobao, SGSME, the New Paper, Asian Scientist, and the CFA Digest.

SMU GIC Winter Itinerary

Sample Certificates

How to apply?

1. Download Application Form and fill in the form complelety

2. Transfer the program fee of THB 109,900 to

Learning Curve Training

Bangkok Bank, Ramintra Branch

Bank Account number 187-433082-0

3. Send the completed application along with the transfer slip to info@learningcurve-th.com. Our staff will contact you as soon as we receive the application package.