IBUS 3055: AI & Tech Entrepreneurship
Undergraduate Global Enrichment in Germany and SwitzerlandProgram Dates:
Applications for spring 2027 are now open! The priority deadline is October 15 at noon.
Classes: Tues/Thurs, 9:55-11:35am, Spring Semester 2027, B-term only.
Travel dates: May 14 - 27, 2027. The travel for this course will interfere with graduation/commencement. Students wishing to participate in graduation ceremonies should find an alternate option.
Program Details
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This course provides hands-on knowledge about entrepreneurship in AI & Information Technologies with an international perspective. It provides an end-to-end overview of the ideation process, prototyping, and business pitch development. This class will teach students to use design sprints to map out the problem space and pick an important opportunity for innovation. Then they will sketch competing IT and AI based solutions (e.g., idea for a new mobile app or software). Thereafter, they will need to make decisions and create a conceptual model for a prototype. The students will then prepare to test out the ideas, perform market analysis, and pitch them to investors abroad during their visit. The international component of the course involves visits to a diverse set of leading organizations in IT and AI - from startups to large multinational companies, incubators to investors, etc. where students have an opportunity to interact with founders, consultants, and executives to enrich their academic and study abroad experiences and to understand the role of culturalization and adaptation of their IT products for success in international markets.
- Eating Out: Standard casual dining or an individual meal at an entry-level restaurant can easily cost double what it would in the Twin Cities. Even fast-food options or simple café lunches carry a premium price tag. We encourage you to budget & plan accordingly!
- Budgeting Strategy: To manage your daily expenses without breaking the bank, students are highly encouraged to embrace local habits: utilize local grocery stores (such as Migros or Coop) for grab-and-go lunches, seek out street food options, and leverage Zurich's public transport system rather than private ride-shares.
Propel your entrepreneurial ambitions into Europe's premier hubs for digital innovation. This intensive two-week global enrichment program takes students beyond standard tech incubators to examine the cutting edge of global commercialization. From historic industrial strongholds to ultra-modern finance capitals, this journey exposes you to the founders, investors, and executives shaping the next generation of enterprise AI.
The program launches in Munich, the capital of Bavaria and a burgeoning center for Germany's modern tech ecosystem. Known globally for its engineering heritage, Munich masterfully blends legacy multinational powerhouses with a thriving, forward-thinking startup scene. Crossing the border via a regional transit corridor, the program shifts to Zurich, a world-class financial center that consistently ranks among the top cities globally for its exceptional quality of life.
Moving from the industrial tech pipelines of Munich to the elite research ecosystems and strict capital markets of Zurich, IBUS 3055 demands that you think like a global tech pioneer. You will return to Minnesota with a refined product pitch, a deeper understanding of localized AI development, and the real-world adaptability required to scale tech solutions internationally.
Program Note:
While Zurich offers an unmatched academic look into advanced tech infrastructure, it presents a distinct macroeconomic reality check for students' personal budgets. Switzerland regularly ranks as one of the most expensive countries in the world, and Zurich features a remarkably high cost of living. Because the program fee does not cover daily lunches and dinners, students must plan financially for out-of-pocket expenses:
The program hotel(s) will be conveniently located to program activities. Hotel specifics will be provided to participants in the program orientation. Because networking and community-building are essential components of the program, the expectation is that students will share a room with another program participant. If there are other accommodations that would support a student's access and inclusion on the program, there is an opportunity to request such preferences in the Housing Request Form after confirmation in the program. Guests are not permitted during the program.
Breakfast will be provided daily at the hotels. A welcome and closing meal are also included in the program fee. Germany and Switzerland are able to accommodate a wide variety of dietary restrictions, but as noted above, food is VERY expensive.
- 4 credits
- Eligible for 4 credits of ENTRE elective credit and/or 4 credits of MIS elective credit
- Grading is A-F basis
- Priority will go to students who have 100+ credits. If you are a student with alternative considerations, such as DRC accommodations for a reduced course load, please contact the Program Manager to discuss how we can support your application.
- Students with a GPA below 2.0 will be conditionally accepted pending a conversation with the Program Manager about academic success
U.S. citizens will need a valid passport to travel to Germany and Switzerland. If you already have a passport, you need to check the expiration date and confirm that it is more than seven months after the program ends. If you do not have a passport, or your passport needs to be renewed, you will need to apply for one immediately upon confirmation.
A visa is a document that proves that travel into a particular country has been approved by their governing body. U.S. citizens do not need a visa for visits up to 90 days for tourism in Germany or Switzerland. Non-U.S. passport holders should check with the German and Swiss consulates regarding visa requirements and fees. A consulate is a foreign government's official place of residence and representation in a foreign country. While consulates provide passports, birth registration, and many other services, they also have consular sections which issue visas for foreign citizens to visit, study, and work in their country. If you carry a passport other than a U.S. passport and are required to carry a visa into Germany or Switzerland, you will be responsible for securing your visa; you will work closely with the Program Manager (Mary Krebs) to make sure you have any University-specific documentation that you need.
To apply, please visit the Apply page. Students will be charged a $50 application fee. The priority deadline is 12:00 pm (noon) on October 15, 2026. Applications for programs that do not fill by the priority deadline will be accepted on a rolling basis until full. Applications to competitive programs will be selected via lottery. Students will be informed of their application decision in about seven to ten days after the priority deadline.
Most financial aid may be applied to study abroad. University of Minnesota students are eligible for education abroad scholarships. Please see Financial Aid and Scholarships for more information.
30 University of Minnesota undergraduate students.
This program meets in B-term only. This course will be taught by Associate Professor, McKnight Presidential Fellow, Jim & Mary Lawrence Fellow, Director of Research MIS Research Center, Soumya Sen of the Information and Decision Sciences department. The pre-departure classes are a fundamental component of the curriculum. These pre-departure classes are partly discussion-based given the broad range of diverse and complex challenges faced in international business, and therefore the quality of the student experience is dependent upon all students attending and participating in the pre-departure classes.
In order to be eligible to participate in the international portion of this class, students must maintain satisfactory academic performance as determined by the instructor. If your academic performance prevents you from participating in the international component of the course, you will not receive a refund of the program fee. Please bring any concerns about this directly to the Program Manager.
- Departing for a morning academic or company visit ~8:00 AM
- Lunch break on your own
- Afternoon programming (academic or company visit, or cultural activity)
- Most evenings free after ~5:00 PM
- 10–20 minutes of walking at a time, multiple times per day
- Frequent use of public transportation (10–40 minute rides)
- Some travel during rush hour
- Standing and navigating busy trains and train stations
- Use of some coach buses - Some students reported motion sickness on these transfers
This is an active, immersive program designed for undergraduate business students. Days are full but balanced, combining company visits, cultural experiences, and neighborhood exploration in each city.
Daily Schedule
Walking & Transportation
Overall Pace
The program is moderately demanding but manageable. Expect steady movement throughout the day and full engagement in professional settings. Comfortable walking shoes and flexibility in busy urban environments are essential. If you are comfortable walking several miles per day in an urban environment, you should be well-prepared.
Evenings are generally unscheduled, providing time to rest, explore, or connect with classmates. There will be at least one full free day for independent exploration.
Cost
These estimates will vary based on student preference and exchange rates. All details are subject to change based on economic and international factors. Most financial aid may be applied to study abroad programs. All costs are subject to change prior to departure.
* Students should also maintain their U.S.-based health insurance plan while abroad.
** Costs are estimated for U.S. passport holders only. Non-U.S. passport holders should check with the German and Swiss consulates regarding the visa application process and costs.
| Expense Type | Estimated Cost |
| 2026-2027 Tuition for 4 academic credits (included in the 13+ credit tuition plateau. Please see One Stop for more information about tuition rate) | $0 |
| Program Fee (does NOT include international airfare between Minnesota and Europe but does include regional travel between Munich and Zurich, hotels, program events, two group meals, local transportation, and international health insurance*) | $5,032 |
| International airfare between Minnesota and Europe (NOT included in Program Fee) | $2,023 (estimated) |
| Passport/Photos and EVisa** | $180 |
| Course Materials | $0 |
| Hotel Accommodation (included in Program Fee) | $0 |
| Meals (lunch and dinners not included in Program Fee). Estimate does NOT factor in alcohol. | $400 |
| Daily Living Expenses (international cellular/data plan, local transportation- including 2 airport transfers, incidentals, laundry, etc.) | $500 |
| Total | $8,135 |