U-SCHOOL:
Developing entrepreneurial leaders to make transformation happen
Entry Requirement
English language proficiency skills
Duration
3 modules over 10 days in total:
November, February, April + continuous mentoring
Language of instruction
English
Features
Entrepreneurial management tools, project-based learning, personal coaching and mentoring
U-School
Developing entrepreneurial leaders to make transformation happen
The entrepreneurial acceleration programme U-SCHOOL is designed and facilitated in strong alliance with experienced Entrepreneurs & Intrapreneurs to empower talented managers driving innovation forward in their organisation.
The “U” represents both our reference to Unternehmertum as the German expression for entrepreneurship. As a whole, U-SCHOOL is committed to helping you strengthen your entrepreneurial skills and turn your innovative ideas into reality. Beneath the implementation of the latest management tools, we provide you with a personal mentor and a safe practice space in which you can work on your ideas and turn them into a competitive business model.
Objectives
The key objective of the programme is to support you and your company in refining your actual business or to successfully find, develop and integrate new business models.
Therefore we provide you with the most important management tools to master the four steps of a successful project development. We believe in project-based learning and so every participant will work during the eight months on her/his own project and will have access to a network of senior executives and experienced mentors.
To inspire and support your entrepreneurial attitude, we will connect you with the agile start-up scene and work with some of the most successful international incubators such as Axel Springer Plug & Play, APX (Axel Springer Porsche), hubraum, Project A, Startupbootcamp or Numa.
The combination of a high-end executive training and a dynamic project accelerator brings the unique value to U-SCHOOL. As participant you will step into an exclusive community of experienced managers from large corporations as well as from fast-growing start-ups.
Uli HUENER
Head of Innovation Management,
EnBW AG
“With the U-SCHOOL programme, we have found a good way to work on and refill our new business model ideas…”
“… The business model in the energy sector has hardly changed in the past 30 years. For EnBW, it is one of the big challenges - and at the same time chances - to identify and extend new businesses through entrepreneurial talent and with entrepreneurial spirit. With the U-SCHOOL programme, we have found a good way to work on and refill our new business model ideas.”
The participants profit from:
Management tools to drive entrepreneurial projects successfully. Every session is designed by and facilitated through experienced practitioners and professors/executive education trainers
Project-based learning ensures the implementation of newly acquired competencies and enables participants to exchange ideas among each other.
Personal coaching and mentoring provides space for reflection, crucial to accelerate the dynamic with which projects develop and enhance leadership qualities.
U-SCHOOL is a unique community in which new perspectives can be shared in an innovation-friendly ecosystem where participants work and grow together.
Alexander SIXT
Family Business Holder - Managing Director - Head of Corporate Development, Central Purchasing and Workflow Management,
Sixt AG
“It is what you need to develop into a responsible leader much quicker…”
“… The leader of a family business demands the ability to seize chances while keeping up the approved business model. That’s one of the main challenges in a family business. Growing into a family business sometimes needs external support. Family business leaders will benefit from U-SCHOOL by obtaining insights into challenging business cases and through a top-class network. It is what you need to develop into a responsible leader much quicker.”
Ulrich SCHMITZ
Managing Director,
Axel Springer Digital Ventures
“U-SCHOOL offers the chance to develop entrepreneurial talent in practice…”
“… A successful entrepreneur needs talent, applicable methods, tools and the right timing. Entrepreneurial talent often exists naturally; however, it needs to be developed in practice. As such, U-SCHOOL offers the chance to do so!”
Take-home values of the programme
We help you make transformation happen! For yourself, your project and your company!
For You …
- Learning to use helpful tools to develop purposeful transformation projects
- Practising evidence-based skills such as building high performing teams, managing conflict and empowering others
- Drawing inspiration from the latest insights on topics such as AI, blockchain, circular economy
- Becoming part of an impactful network of entrepreneurial leaders making transformation in Europe happen
- Diving into Berlin's digital innovation scene
… For Your Project
- Developing your own project with the right tools, expertise and time
- Providing an empowering, safe and inspiring learning environment to take your projects from initial opportunities to implementation
- Connecting with mentors and experts from the ESCP ecosystem to help you push the project further
… For Your Company
- Developing the next generation of entrepreneurial leaders within your company
- Providing the opportunity for aspiring entrepreneurial leaders to develop projects to drive the success of the company in the future
- Becoming part of the ecosystem of one of Europe's best business schools
We foster a diversity of backgrounds
The U-SCHOOL programme welcomes participants from diverse educational backgrounds who have already gained a minimum of three years professional experience.
This experience could have been gained as an entrepreneur, intrapreneur or business developer within a large company or as the manager of a family business. The more diverse the backgrounds and careers of the participants, the better they can learn from each other and build a sustainable network — a key element of the programme.
As a U-SCHOOL participant, you will be taught by and welcomed into the Jean- Baptiste Say Institute for Entrepreneurship. Our institute relies on a unique European network which was developed in 2007 by the Entrepreneurship Chair of ESCP Business School and has today more than 50 researchers and teachers.
Jörg RHEINBOLDT
Managing Director APX
Founder of Axel Springer Plug & Play Accelerator,
Mentor at U-SCHOOL
“At U-SCHOOL we are going to teach what I would have liked to learn at university. I learned it over the years. Here it's going to be months. What a shortcut!”
See more
U-School
Curriculum
We help you to develop an impactful project for your firm over three modules starting in November. While the project itself may help your firm to make transformation happen, working on the project will help you to develop as an entrepreneurial leader. We support this by helping you develop your entrepreneurial leadership skills and providing you with the right tools and inspiration.
The three steps to start successful projects
Module 1 From Strengths to Needs Berlin
Where to start? The aim of module 1 is to develop purpose driven opportunities to make transformation happen. We will explore your firm’s transformational needs and how you can leverage on your own strengths to make the necessary transformation happen. In addition, we will help you to develop your skills in building effective teams and pitching ideas successfully. Let yourself be inspired by reflecting with world leading experts on the grand challenges of our times.
Tools, Skills and Inspiration
- Impact opportunity framework
- Leading transformational teams
- Grand challenges
- Effectuation and embracing failure
Module 2 From Needs to Solutions Turin
In module 2 we will take a deep dive into your most impactful opportunity. We explore the needs of the different stakeholders involved and investigate which solutions can be built to make a difference. You will improve your skills in motivating others and in developing self-awareness. Experts will share their insights into leadership ethics and social businesses to further broaden your horizon.
Tools, Skills and Inspiration
- Opportunity deep dive
- Design Thinking
- Exploring emerging ecosystems
- Leadership ethics
Module 3 From Solutions to Action Berlin
We develop an impactful solution designed to help you seize your opportunity. Be it a mindset change programme, starting a corporate accelerator programme, or a sustainability project. You will improve your skills in developing resilience, managing the numbers and in digital leadership. We will reflect on big data trends and sustainability topics.
Tools, Skills and Inspiration
- Preparing your project for launch
- Communicating for transformational change
- Managing the numbers and excelling in entrepreneurial leadership
- Developing resilience
Programme spirit & teaching philosophy
Purpose
We develop entrepreneurial leaders to make transformation happen in Europe.
Vision
We set out to change the course of entrepreneurial leadership education: by showcasing an approach suited to the evidence-based education and development of effecitive entrepreneurial leaders for Europe.
Culture
We foster a true learning culture in which participants feel empowered, safe and inspired to apply useful tools and improve their skills.
Purpose driven
Projects are relevant for solving pressing business or social problems by building on the strengths and values of each participant.
Evidence-based
Evidence-based education means that the tools and skills that we teach have been scientifically shown to produce positive results.
Reflection in Action
Participants apply tools, skills, and inspiration to their own life projects to enhance the learning experience and to create an immediate impact.
Team teaching
Each module is delivered through an expert team consisting of academic faculty of ESCP Business School as well as experienced entrepreneurial leaders.
Mentoring
Participants are guided throughout the programme by an experienced mentor who helps them to develop their project and to evolve as an entrepreneurial leader.
Peer learning
Learning from each other is an essential part of the learning experience. It allows for an exchange of best practices across companies, industries and cultures.
As a U-SCHOOL participant, you will be taught by and welcomed into the Jean- Baptiste Say Institute for Entrepreneurship. Our institute relies on a unique European network which was developed in 2007 by the Entrepreneurship Chair of ESCP Business School and has today more than 50 researchers and teachers.
Jörg RHEINBOLDT
Managing Director APX
Founder of Axel Springer Plug & Play Accelerator,
Mentor at U-SCHOOL
“At U-SCHOOL we are going to teach what I would have liked to learn at university. I learned it over the years. Here it's going to be months. What a shortcut!”
See more
U-School
Alumni
Testimonials
Yvonne QUINT
Senior manager,
BearingPoint GmbH
“Each U-SCHOOL session really inspired me…”
“Each U-SCHOOL session really inspired me: an environment where I could test, discuss and develop my ideas and my entrepreneurial spirit, a great team of participants and ESCP staff, the chance to get to know new tools and approaches in terms of entrepreneurship & entrepreneurial thinking, and last but not least the really valuable access to mentors.”
Diana STRACKE
Head of HR Development,
TeamBank AG
“U-SCHOOL was a great support for my personal and professional growth…”
“U-SCHOOL was a great support for my personal and professional growth. In today’s working world, traditional management methods are simply not enough. Thanks to the programme, I got to know new methods and developed an entrepreneurial mindset that helps me to deal with situations of high uncertainty.”
Thomas BEYER
Director Data-Driven Business,
Dräger AG
“U-SCHOOL was for me like taking the red pill in the Blockbuster ‘Matrix’…”
“U-SCHOOL was for me like taking the red pill in the Blockbuster ‘Matrix’: The programme liberated me from old thought patterns and opened a door to a new world. No one can tell you what life after U-SCHOOL is like. You have to experience it yourself.”
Felix CHROBOG
General Manager,
Deliveroo Germany GmbH
“U-SCHOOL allowed me to diversify and grow my network…”
“U-SCHOOL provided me with an environment in which to analyse and refine the business models of my start-ups. Intensive exchanges with the other programme participants, and access to the ESCP Business School community, allowed me to diversify and grow my network.”
Karin GÖHRE
Head of Congress & Marketing Communication,
Bayer AG
“Every session provides me with relevant background knowledge and practical tools…”
“I especially enjoy the tandem teaching concept. Every session provides me with relevant background knowledge and practical tools I can share with my team to get my project implemented into our business.”
Claudius HUNDT
Lead Data Lab, Data Transformation Manager,
EnBW Energie Baden-Württemberg AG
“One of the core benefits of the programme is the incredible mentor network…”
“For me one of the core benefits of the programme is the incredible mentor network that we are exposed to. Not only do we have access to our personal mentor but a mentor network of more than 20 experienced serial entrepreneurs and influential intrapreneurs who are offering support in developing our project.”
As a U-SCHOOL participant, you will be taught by and welcomed into the Jean- Baptiste Say Institute for Entrepreneurship. Our institute relies on a unique European network which was developed in 2007 by the Entrepreneurship Chair of ESCP Business School and has today more than 50 researchers and teachers.
Jörg RHEINBOLDT
Managing Director APX
Founder of Axel Springer Plug & Play Accelerator,
Mentor at U-SCHOOL
“At U-SCHOOL we are going to teach what I would have liked to learn at university. I learned it over the years. Here it's going to be months. What a shortcut!”
See more
U-School
Admissions
We welcome participants from diverse educational backgrounds
U-SCHOOL is looking for motivated entrepreneurial leaders who have gained at least three years of professional experience. This could be within a corporate setting (intrapreneurs), a start-up or a family business.
Admission to U-SCHOOL will be considered by an assessment committee made up of ESCP academics and entrepreneurial experts. To provide a diverse, fully enriching and high-class learning experience we only allow a certain number of participants from each sector. There are no formal education requirements; however, English language proficiency skills are mandatory.
The admission process requires the following supporting documents
- A one-page letter of motivation
- Your CV
The letter of motivation should answer the following questions: Why are you the ideal candidate for U-SCHOOL? What can you contribute to U-SCHOOL? In which area would you like to make a difference?
As a U-SCHOOL participant, you will be taught by and welcomed into the Jean- Baptiste Say Institute for Entrepreneurship. Our institute relies on a unique European network which was developed in 2007 by the Entrepreneurship Chair of ESCP Business School and has today more than 50 researchers and teachers.
Jörg RHEINBOLDT
Managing Director APX
Founder of Axel Springer Plug & Play Accelerator,
Mentor at U-SCHOOL
“At U-SCHOOL we are going to teach what I would have liked to learn at university. I learned it over the years. Here it's going to be months. What a shortcut!”
See more
As a U-SCHOOL participant, you will be taught by and welcomed into the Jean- Baptiste Say Institute for Entrepreneurship. Our institute relies on a unique European network which was developed in 2007 by the Entrepreneurship Chair of ESCP Business School and has today more than 50 researchers and teachers.
Jörg RHEINBOLDT
Managing Director APX
Founder of Axel Springer Plug & Play Accelerator,
Mentor at U-SCHOOL
“At U-SCHOOL we are going to teach what I would have liked to learn at university. I learned it over the years. Here it's going to be months. What a shortcut!”