Guidelines for Customizing Materials

This guideline provides step-by-step instructions for customizing the entrepreneurship teaching materials developed within the ENDORSE project.

The materials are structured into three modules:

1. Module 1: A general, location-independent course on entrepreneurship.
2. Module 2: Customizable content focusing on business model archetypes specific to the entrepreneurial ecosystem of the university location.
3. Module 3: Practical guidance on registering a business venture, tailored to the local legal and institutional framework.

The objective is to ensure that the teaching material is both comprehensive and adaptable to diverse regional and local contexts, promoting relevance and engagement for students in peripheral university towns affected by brain drain.

Module 1

The General Entrepreneurship Course in Module 1 provides a foundational understanding of entrepreneurship concepts and principles. It is designed to be universally applicable, regardless of geographical or socio-economic context. Teachers are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the content and use it as the basis for subsequent modules.

Customizing Module 2 and 3: Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1

Identify the Category of Your University Town

To tailor the teaching material effectively, it is essential to understand the specific characteristics of your university town’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.

• Action: Visit the project homepage and complete the provided quiz to categorize your university town.
  • The Basic: Towns with minimal entrepreneurial activity and infrastructure.
  • The Emerging: Towns showing signs of growing entrepreneurial ecosystems but still facing significant barriers.
  • The Advanced: Towns with well-established entrepreneurial environments and support structures.
  • The Frontrunner: Towns rich in innovation activities, with thriving entrepreneurial ecosystems and good institutional support.
• Output: Based on the quiz results, your university town will be classified into one of these four categories.

Step 2

Customize Module 2 Content

Module 2 focuses on business model archetypes tailored to the specific entrepreneurial environment of your university town.

• Action:
  1. Select the Appropriate Content: Based on your town’s classification, choose the material that corresponds to the determined type of location.
  2. Adapt the Existing Slides: Customize the provided slides (section2.3.) to reflect the regional/local characteristics of your entrepreneurial ecosystem.
     • Incorporate Local Data: Include statistics, case studies, and examples from your region.
     • Highlight Regional Strengths and Challenges: Address specific local industries, resources, and barriers.
     • Engage Local Entrepreneurs: Include guest lectures or interviews with local business owners to provide practical insights.
  3. Create Business Model Archetypes: Use sections 2.4. – 2.7. to create corresponding business model archetype content with students.
     • The Basic: Emphasize foundational entrepreneurial concepts, basic business planning, and overcoming initial barriers.
     • The Emerging: Focus on scaling businesses, leveraging emerging support structures, and accessing funding opportunities.
     • The Advanced: Highlight advanced business strategies, innovation management, and integrating into broader markets.
     • The Frontrunner: Concentrate on cutting-edge business models, expansion, and sustainable growth strategies.
• Output: A tailored version of Module 2 that reflects the unique entrepreneurial ecosystem of your university town.

Step 3

Customize Module 3: Module 3 provides practical guidance on registering a business venture. This module requires detailed customization to align with local legal and institutional frameworks.

• Action:
  1. Review the Template: Examine the provided template for business registration processes.
  2. Research Local Requirements:
     • Legal Requirements: Identify the legal steps for registering a business in your location, including necessary documentation, fees, and timelines.
     • Institutional Support: List local institutions (e.g., chambers of commerce, business incubators) that support new ventures.
     • Regulatory Compliance: Include information on tax registration, business licensing, and compliance with local regulations.
  3. Customize the Template: Modify the template to include specific local information, ensuring it reflects the exact procedures and contacts required in your region.
• Output: A comprehensive, location-specific Module 3 that guides students through the process of registering their business ventures.

Additional Recommendations

• Engage with Local Stakeholders: Collaborate with local authorities, business incubators, and development agencies to ensure the accuracy and relevance of customized content.
• Incorporate Feedback: After each course iteration, gather feedback from students and local entrepreneurs to refine and improve the material.
• Continuous Updates: Regularly update the customized modules to reflect changes in local entrepreneurial ecosystems, legal frameworks, and institutional support structures.

By following this guideline, teachers can ensure that the entrepreneurship teaching materials are effectively customized to meet the unique needs of their university towns. This approach will enhance student engagement, foster local entrepreneurial activity, and contribute to mitigating brain drain in peripheral university locations.

For further assistance, please contact the project coordination team or refer to additional resources provided on the project homepage.