Introduction to Innovation and Deep Tech
- Description
- Curriculum
- Reviews
The module offers a comprehensive overview of innovation through two complementary lenses: the evolution of innovation over time and the current ecosystem that supports it. The first part traces the strategic contributions of historical innovators such as William Durant, Alfred P. Sloan, and Charles Kao, while also examining contemporary startup success stories like D-Orbit, NHOA, Atlante, and Vinted. This sub-module also addresses Europe’s struggle to convert scientific excellence into commercial innovation—the so-called “European Paradox.”
The second part of the module focuses on the key players in the innovation ecosystem, such as startups, universities, investors, and large companies. It highlights the critical role of startups in identifying problems, testing business models, and scaling disruptive solutions. The lecture introduces the Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) framework to evaluate a technology’s maturity and guide decision-making. Together, these sessions equip students with a deeper understanding of how innovation emerges, evolves, and succeeds within a collaborative environment driven by entrepreneurship and strategic vision.
-
1
2.1.1. Theory and History of InnovationThe lecture explores the theory and history of innovation through the lens of entrepreneurial case studies and technological milestones. It highlights the roles of key figures like William Durant, Alfred P. Sloan, and Charles Kao, compares modern startups, and identifies Europe's challenges in translating research into innovation. The session ends with a reflection on how education and research institutions can drive future impact.
-
2
2.1. Quiz: Innovation Theory -
3
2.1.2. Ecosystem actors
The lecture examines the innovation ecosystem, highlighting the role of startups as dynamic players. It explores how startups drive disruption, define real problems, and test scalable business models. Key concepts like Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs) are introduced as tools to assess and navigate the innovation journey from research to market impact.
-
4
2.1. Quiz: Ecosystem Actors
-
5
2.1.3. Macro Science of Innovation
The lecture explores the science behind innovation, framing it as a structured yet dynamic journey of value creation. Led by Raghu Movva, the lecture connects innovation to core scientific and design principles such as the Scientific Method, Design Thinking, Lean Startup, and Agile Methodology. It offers a human-centered and systems-level perspective on how innovation emerges and scales within the deep tech ecosystem.
-
6
2.1. Quiz: Innovation Science
-
7
2.1.4. Macro Science of Sustainability
The lecture introduces the Macro Science of Sustainability with a focus on changing global landscapes, European industry challenges, and sustainability priorities. It analyzes historical economic perspectives, emissions debates, and industry transformation needs while examining key sustainability focus areas including materials (recyclability, reusability, recoverability) and energy (renewables, hydrogen, carbon capture), highlighting the importance of both public and private capital in supporting these transitions.
-
8
2.1. Quiz: Sustainability Science
