Entrepreneurship
- Starts September and February
- English
- 30 ECTS
- 5 months
Entrepreneurship is not something you learn from a book.
In the Minor Entrepreneurship, you discover what kind of entrepreneur you are, by actually doing it. Entrepreneurship takes more than enthusiasm. In this minor, you train exactly the skills that make the difference.
About the minor
What does entrepreneurship actually involve? What does it ask of you as a person, not just as a strategist? In the Minor Entrepreneurship, you find out. Not in theory, but by doing it for real.
You work on a real idea or an existing venture. You look for customers, test your concept and pitch to entrepreneurs and investors. Coaches who have built their own businesses guide you throughout the process.
The minor consists of two tracks that run in parallel and carry equal weight: you work on developing your venture (Business Development) and on your own growth as an entrepreneur (Entrepreneurial Professional). That personal track, gaining insight into your own strengths, learning how to bring people on board, and understanding how you work as an entrepreneur, is just as valuable as the business knowledge you build.
As an international student, you bring your own perspective and network. In this variant, we pay particular attention to entrepreneurship in the Dutch and Eindhoven contexts: the Brainport ecosystem, Dutch startup culture, and navigating a new business environment.
Why the minor Entrepeneurship?
- You work on a real idea or venture. No fictional case studies
- You are coached by people with their own entrepreneurial experience and real-world examples
- You develop skills you will carry with you wherever your career takes you, including in employment
- You step outside your comfort zone: you approach real businesses, talk to customers and pitch to investors
- You collaborate with entrepreneurs, professionals and students from different programmes and backgrounds
- You become part of an active entrepreneurship network in the Brainport region: through Startups for Society, Boost, Eindhoven Engine, The Gate and more
Who is this minor for?
The Minor Entrepreneurship is open to students from all accredited bachelor programmes, at Fontys and at other universities of applied sciences. The only formal requirement is that you have completed your propaedeutic year.
Just as important is your attitude. You take initiative, you are curious, and you are not afraid to walk through a stranger's door or pick up the phone. Have you not yet developed all of these qualities, but want to? You are very welcome. In this minor, you are treated as an entrepreneur: you are responsible for your own progress. Keeping commitments, being proactive, and being willing to try things that might not work out. That is what is expected of you, and it is part of the learning.
You do not need your own company or idea to join. You do not need a business background or prior entrepreneurial experience either. What you do need: intrinsic motivation. Do not choose this minor to fill a slot. Choose it because you want to grow as an entrepreneur or discover the entrepreneur in yourself.
The skills you develop are broadly applicable: whether you start your own business, work as an intrapreneur within an organisation, or one day launch a social venture.
How does the minor work?
You work in a multidisciplinary team of approximately five students on a real business idea, from first concept to market introduction. You look for actual customers, test your assumptions and pitch to entrepreneurs and investors.
Your team brings together students from different countries and study backgrounds. Which means you will not just learn about entrepreneurship, but experience what it is like to build something with people who think differently than you do.
Also available in Dutch
This minor is also offered in Dutch, in two additional variants. One for students without an existing business and one for students who already have a venture they want to develop further. Interested in a Dutch-taught programme?
Find out more on the Dutch page: Minor ondernemerschap (NL)
Limebro's
Alongside their studies, these "Limebros" are now brewing their own limoncello with a twist!
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Programme
The minor is built around two tracks that run in parallel and carry equal weight throughout the entire semester:
Track 1: Business Development
In this track you develop your business idea step by step, applying theory directly to your own venture. You will cover:
- The Lean Startup method, Customer Discovery and Customer Validation
- Financial and legal aspects of running a business
- (Online) marketing, branding and market introduction
- Guest sessions with entrepreneurs, the Chamber of Commerce and investors
- Creativity sessions, practical assignments and pitches for stakeholders
- Elective modules: masterclasses and guest lectures tailored to your venture and learning needs
Track 2: Entrepreneurial Professional
In this track you work on yourself as an entrepreneur, using the European EntreComp framework. You map your own entrepreneurial strengths and work on targeted personal development. This includes:
- Training sessions and lectures on entrepreneurial competencies
- Skills training: collaboration, mobilising others, progress management
- Portfolio: baseline assessment, development plan, progress check and final reflection
- Practical assignments and conversations with practising entrepreneurs
Alongside the two tracks, you are supported individually and in teams by coaches with their own entrepreneurial experience. They help you apply what you learn directly to the day-to-day practice of your venture.
- Individual coaching: 30 minutes every two weeks
- Team coaching: 1.5 hours per week
The Minor Entrepreneurship is a full-time minor worth 30 EC. You spend an average of 40 hours per week on the minor, across coaching sessions, workshops, lectures and independent work on your venture. You spend approximately 50% of your time on campus at Rachelsmolen in Eindhoven; the remainder you work independently. Please note: the minor is a full-time programme and requires your availability five days per week.
The minor is assessed across two components: Business Development and Entrepreneurial Professional. Both tracks carry equal weight. For this variant, both components are assessed on a pass/fail basis.
All assignments are announced via the digital learning environment. You do not need to register separately for assessments. You have one opportunity to resit each assignment within the minor period, with the exception of the final reflection and final presentation — these can only be resat in the following minor period.
Entrepreneurship in this minor goes beyond profit. You work with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as a frame of reference and explore ethical and sustainable business practices, social entrepreneurship and the societal impact of your venture. The minor is connected to the regional ecosystem of Startups for Society (startupsforsociety.nl), through which Fontys collaborates on entrepreneurship education and impact-driven initiatives across the Brabant region.
How to Apply for This Minor
The minor is offered twice a year (September and February). Fontys students can apply for the minors via Progress. Students from other universities of applied sciences can apply via Kiesopmaat. Learning agreements are processed in order of receipt.
Entry Requirements
To take part in the minor, you must have completed the propaedeutic phase or have permission from your programme's examination board.
* If you are having trouble with your application, please let us know per email! We love to help you
Want to join us for a day?
Are you interested in the Entrepreneurship minor, but curious about what it looks like in practice? Register now to join us for a day! You will be paired with a student entrepreneur to experience how they approach entrepreneurship. Find out how a coaching session goes and how you can start or grow your own business.
Sign up
Practical Information
This minor is taught entirely in English. Dutch-taught versions of the minor are also available. See the Dutch page for details.
To Dutch page
Propaedeutic year completed. Open to all students from
accredited bachelor programmes. Students from Commerciële Economie,
Ondernemerschap & Retail Management, Bedrijfskunde or Vastgoed &
Makelaardij (Fontys Economie en Communicatie) must consult their exam committee
before registering
accredited bachelor programmes. Students from Commerciële Economie,
Ondernemerschap & Retail Management, Bedrijfskunde or Vastgoed &
Makelaardij (Fontys Economie en Communicatie) must consult their exam committee
before registering
The minor regulations set out what you will learn, how you will be assessed and what is required to complete the minor.
To minor regulationsLooking for support with your venture but not ready for a full minor? The Fontys Centre for Entrepreneurship (Centrum voor Ondernemerschap) supports students outside the minor too, through the student entrepreneur scheme (SOR). With advice, mentoring and access to the entrepreneurship network.
To CvOWe'd love to help you out!
Have a question or want to know more about one of our areas of expertise? Feel free to get in touch or drop by our entrepreneur square!
