Business Design Project (5cr)

Evaluation scale

H-5

Content scheduling

Business Innovation
Design Thinking
Sustainable Actions
International Teams
Pitching
Reporting

Objective

The student is able to analyse, evaluate, lead and develop new business in an internationally and multicultural environment. He/she knows the principles of innovation tools and development of international business. Student knows the innovation tools and is able to apply them international environment. Student is able to develop business models and commercialize business innovations. Student is able to train organizations for business innovation operations. Student is able to develop a plan for implementing innovative business models in an international environment. Student is able to work in a regional, transnational and interdisciplinary team.

Main competences on the course: operating in a workplace, learning to learn, internationality and multiculturalism

Content

- Innovation tools
- Business models
- Development of new international business
- Multicultural teamwork

Location and time

Week 18 Monday 27.4.2026 16:00 – 18:00 Online kick-off session - (Including information about the study unit/program, company presentations, action points e.g. watch the video)

Week 19 Monday 4.5. - Friday 8.5.2026 Kempten, Germany: On-site Design thinking workshop. The students work in mixed teams

Week 21 Wednesday 20.5.2026 – Friday 22.5.2026 9:00 – 17:00 Online working & Final pitch sessions

Materials

Lewrick, M., Link P. and Leifer L. (2018) The Design Thinking Playbook​

Ries E. (2017) The Startup Way. Portfoli Penquin.

Bessant J. and Tidd J. (2015). Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Wiley​

Teaching methods

Students from Lapland UAS and Kajaani UAS in Finland, Ulster University in Northern Ireland (UK), Kempten UAS in Germany and Romanian American University (RAU) in Romania, work in mixed teams to design new business models.

Design thinking is used to generate idea(s) to address/tackle assignments commissioned by case companies (existing businesses) for strategic development in their operations or to aid them to go international.

The first phase includes the online kick-off with project and case companies' introductions along with design thinking sessions, to be held on Monday 27.4.2026 16:00 – 18:00.

The second phase involves a workshop/conference week hosted by Kempten University of Applied Sciences, Germany , Monday 4.5. - Friday 8.5.2026 (plus two days for travel) at 9:00-17:00 during which students' teams familiarise themselves with each other, and the design thinking tools along with the companies presented.

The third phase is organised online during Wednesday 20.5.2026 – Friday 22.5.2026 at 9:00-17:00,involving the students' teams working intensively on their idea generations and, plan and pitch their final output (business models) to a jury for evaluation.

This is a great networking opportunity, for international students from Finland, Germany, Northern Ireland (UK) and Romania, online and during the week-long workshop/conference in Kempten, Germany. Students acquire 5 ECTS when they participate and cooperate in all the three mandatory phases.

Eligible students could apply for Erasmus+ grant which is available for maximum 10 students. Other eligible students can join at their own discretion.
The grant awarded to students is 1003 € per student covering travel and accommodation expenses.

International connections

Students from Lapland UAS and Kajaani UAS in Finland, Ulster University in Northern Ireland (UK), Kempten UAS in Germany and Romanian American University (RAU) in Romania, work in mixed teams to design new business models.

An opportunity to network internationally and benchmarking good practices.

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1)

1-2: The student
- is able to master and analyze principles of innovation tools in international contexts.
- is able to understand cultural aspects and is able to operate in different environments.
- is able to train organizations for innovation tool.
- Is able to plan and develop business models for a start-up or and existing enterprise in a team.
- Is able to actively participate in the transnational and interdisciplinary team-work.

Assessment criteria, good (3)

3-4: The student
- is able to analyze and evaluate principles of innovation in international contexts.
- is able to independently and in collaboration to analyze and evaluate cultural aspects and is able to operate in different environments.
- is able to analyze and develop organizations for innovation tools and development of new international business.
- is able to plan business models for a start-up or an existing enterprise, and is able to design a plan for its development.
- is able to actively participate and show creativity in the transnational team-work.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

5: The student
- is able to independently and creatively develop, evaluate and lead principles of innovation in international contexts.
- is able to independently, creatively and in collaboration develop, evaluate and lead cultural aspects and is able to operate in different environments.
- is able to develop, evaluate and lead organizations for innovation tools and innovative business models.
- is able to actively participate in the transnational team-work and shows innovative leadership skills.
- is able to develop, evaluate and lead a business model innovation for a start-up or an existing enterprise, and is able to design a plan for its development.