Master in Management of Innovation and Entrepreneurship (MIE)

The Master of Science (Laurea Magistrale, LM-77) in Management of Innovation and Entrepreneurship (MIE) of the University of Milan aims at providing students with theoretical knowledge and analytical tools to identify and exploit entrepreneurial opportunities for innovation, change management and organizational transformation. The drivers of new business creation, the ability to identify business opportunities offered by the markets, the analysis of human, economic and financial resources needed to create and develop new projects represent some of the topics in the entrepreneurship field. Entrepreneurship and innovation are interwoven. Innovation is conceived in a broad sense, spanning from new knowledge generation to enter in new markets to the development of new products, processes and management approaches, based on innovative organizational solutions and competitive strategies.

Alongside the creation of new companies, the ability to innovate and seize the opportunities for investing in new markets by existing companies is a condition of success for the revitalization of more mature businesses.

The course structure is meant to strengthen the acquisition of knowledge and skills concerning the analysis and interpretation of business decision-making processes, with a specific focus on the design, implementation and evaluation of entrepreneurial and innovation processes taking place in a variety of industrial sectors where goods and services are produced.

The program adopts an interdisciplinary approach to the study of entrepreneurial phenomena and innovation. Digging deep into management disciplines (management control, strategic planning, corporate finance, business planning, marketing channels management, relations with the financial sectors and public sector organizations), economic disciplines (industrial economy, company history), legal disciplines (business law), and quantitative methods (market forecasting tools and advanced data analysis), students will acquire knowledge and skills useful to guide the entrepreneurial and innovation process both in newly founded entities and in already existing organizations.

The overall design of the Program takes advantage, in addition to classroom learning through lectures and exercises, of the active participation of students in innovative and entrepreneurial projects throughout the entire course of studies (that is, entrepreneurship laboratories), and further developed with reference to the internship and preparation of the final thesis. Teamwork will be an integral part of the entire program, to promote critical and collaborative thinking, thus setting the basis for a unique learning opportunity. Opportunities to meet and work with professionals and companies will be provided and actively promoted.

To strengthen the link with companies, the usual governance body (that is, the Teaching Committee) will be complemented with the establishment of a Committee composed by faculty members and professionals who will plan projects, joint laboratories, guest lectures and similar initiatives.

Graduates in Management of innovation and Entrepreneurship will be able to apply acquired knowledge and skills in two related areas:

- Within existing companies and organizations: in this context graduates can contribute to the design, development and implementation of innovative projects (for example: new product development, implementation of new production processes, new market entry); - In the launch of new business initiatives (start-ups), where the graduate will be able to collaborate in the construction of the team, the development of the business ideas and their exploitation.

Combining entrepreneurial, managerial, economic and financial skills with sound knowledge of new product development and innovation management processes, the Master's Degree in Management of Innovation and Entrepreneurship trains professionals oriented both to craft and launch new entrepreneurial initiatives and to occupy project management positions for new product development and innovation management. Additionally, the Program provides solid evaluation skills to assess innovation projects, thus opening opportunities in both private organizations (management consulting firms, financial institutions) and public-sector organizations (development agencies and local partnerships).

Professional profile: the program is aimed at young people who want to embark on a managerial career oriented towards innovation themes, as well as those who want to start new business ventures. Functions: business analysis and development; coordination and management of innovation projects; new business model development; entrepreneurs and social entrepreneurs; property rights consultants. Skills: ability to analyze and interpret sectoral and competitive dynamics; to design new initiatives within existing companies; ability to plan and start new business ventures. Career opportunities: managers in national and international manufacturing and service companies, in large retailers; entrepreneurs; freelancers and consultant in the design and implementation of new initiatives.

The University of Milan is a public teaching and research university, which - with 8 faculties and 2 schools and a teaching staff of more than 2000 professors - is distinguished by its wide variety of disciplinary fields. A leading institute in Italy and Europe for scientific productivity, the University of Milan is the largest university in the region, with approximately 64,000 students; it is also an important resource for the socio-economic context of which it is a part. Milan is, in fact, the capital of Lombardy, one of the most dynamic and international regions in the European Union, a leader in the national economy that stands at the Italian forefront of research and development investments and commitment to technological innovation.

The University of Milan also possesses a remarkable artistic and cultural heritage that includes important historic buildings, inherited and acquired collections, archives, botanical gardens and the old Brera Observatory commissioned by Maria Teresa of Austria. The University’s departments are housed in important historic edifices in the center of Milan and in modern buildings in the area known as Città Studi (the City of Studies). Among the palazzos that house the University’s facilities are the old Ca' Granda (the big house) – a monumental complex from the 15th-century in the heart of the historical city centre - the 18th-century Palazzo Greppi designed by Giuseppe Piermarini – who built the Scala Theatre in Milan – and the 17th-century Sant’Alessandro College commissioned by the Arcimboldi family. The book collection , which is one of the richest in the region, is preserved in 47 libraries, while the APICE Centre collects rare and valuable book stocks and archives. The University also has a Choir and its own Orchestra, which actively contributes to the cultural life of the city and receives international acknowledgments on an increasingly frequent basis.