Syllabus
Module 1 – Engineers as Innovators
Session 1 – What is Innovation
This session introduces students to the concept of innovation and its role in shaping industries. Students explore the difference between invention and innovation and learn how organizations such as Apple, Tesla, Google, Infosys, ISRO etc transformed ideas into innovations. Through interactive exercises, students begin viewing themselves as future innovators and problem solvers.
Framework: Need – Idea – Innovation – Value – Impact
Session 2 – Innovation through Science & Technology
Many breakthrough innovations originate from fundamental scientific discoveries. This session explores how advances in physics, chemistry, biology, mathematics and computer science have led to transformative technologies such as semiconductors, GPS, lithium-ion batteries, AI, Aadhaar and UPI. Students are introduced to Pasteur’s Quadrant, which highlights how the most impactful innovations often emerge from research that advances scientific knowledge while solving important real-world problems.
Framework: Science – Technology – Product – Startup – Industry
Module 2 – Problem Discovery
Session 3 – Finding problems worth solving
Successful innovators start with important problems rather than solutions. Through observation, field studies and structured exercises, students learn how to identify unmet needs, frustrations, inefficiencies and emerging opportunities in everyday life. This session introduces Peter Drucker’s sources of innovation and the five discovery skills from The Innovator’s DNA – questioning, observing, associating, experimenting and networking. Real-world examples such as Airbnb, Uber, Swiggy and Zerodha illustrate how great businesses emerge from recognizing and solving meaningful problems.
Framework: Observe – Question – Discover – Prioritize – Opportunity
Problem – Pain – Need – Opportunity (Drucker’s Sources + Innovator’s DNA)
Session 4 – Customer Discovery and Design Thinking
Innovation succeeds when it addresses genuine customer needs. This session introduces Design Thinking and Customer Discovery methodologies used by Stanford d.school and leading startups. Students learn empathy mapping, customer interviews and user-centered design techniques to uncover hidden needs and create solutions that customers truly value.
Framework: Empathize – Define – Ideate – Protype – Test (Stanford d.school Model)
Module 3 – Creativity & Innovation
Session 5 – Innovative Thinking – FLOW, CREATE, TRIZ
Creativity is a skill that can be learned and practiced. This session introduces powerful innovation frameworks including First-Principles Thinking, Theory of Inventive Problem Solving (TRIZ) and divergent thinking using CREATE. Through case studies such as Dyson, SpaceX and Nespresso, students learn how innovators challenge assumptions, resolve contradictions and generate breakthrough ideas.
Framework: Focus – Leap & Orient – What’s Next (FLOW)
Combine – Reframe – Enhance – Adapt – Turn-around – Eliminate (CREATE)
Contradiction – Inventive Solutions (TRIZ)
Session 6 – Enhancing Innovation – AI – Collaboration
Artificial Intelligence is becoming a powerful partner in the innovation process. Students learn how AI can assist in ideation, research, market analysis, coding, design and prototyping. The session also explores collaborative innovation, open innovation ecosystems, and how multidisciplinary teams can use AI to accelerate creativity and entrepreneurial outcomes.
How Generative AI can augment Human Creativity (HBR, July – August,2023); A Better way to Innovate (HBR, July 2003); AI for Managing Open Innovation (Journal of Business Research, 2023)
Framework:
Human Creativity + AI Capability + Collaborative Intelligence = Enhanced Innovation
Module 4 – Technology & Deep Tech Entrepreneurship
Session 7 – Deep Tech Ventures
This session explores how scientific and engineering breakthroughs become high-impact startups. Through examples such as Ather Energy, Agnikul Cosmos, SpaceX, DeepMind, Moderna etc students learn about deep-tech entrepreneurship, research commercialization, technology readiness and the challenges of building ventures based on advanced science and engineering.
Framework: Research (Lab) – Invention – IP – Startup – Impact (Market)
Session 8 – Exponential Thinking & Systems Thinking
Many of today’s most important opportunities emerge from exponentially growing technologies (e.g the computing power that was doubling every 18 months – Moore’s law) and interconnected systems. Students learn how technologies such as AI, robotics, genomics, quantum computing and clean energy are advancing exponentially. They also learn Systems Thinking to understand complex challenges such as sustainable mobility, affordable healthcare, Climate change, smart cities etc.
Framework: 10X Goal – Technology Convergence – System – Interactions – Feedback Loops – Exponential Growth.
Module 5 – Building a Startup
Session 9 – Economics of Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Innovation creates value only when it addresses real economic needs. This session introduces key entrepreneurial concepts including value creation, market dynamics, network effects, platform businesses, venture capital and startup economics. Students learn how innovators identify opportunities, create economic value and build sustainable businesses.
The Venture Mindset – Ilya Stebulaev and Alex Dang (Stanford)
Framework: Problem – Value Creation – Customer – Revenue – Profit
Session 10 – Business Models
A great technology alone does not guarantee success; it must be supported by an effective business model. Students learn how companies such as Amazon, Netflix, Zoho and Ola – create, deliver and capture value. Using the Business Model Canvas, teams design and evaluate business models
Business Model Generation – Alexander Osterwalder
Framework: Create Value – Deliver Value – Capture Value
Session 11 – Intellectual Property
Innovation creates value only when it can be protected, leveraged and scaled. This session introduces a practical invention to monetization framework, covering patents, trade secrets, licensing, valuation, open innovation, technology transfer etc. Through examples such as Dyson, Qualcomm, Tesla, ARM, NVIDIA, Moderna etc, students learn how successful innovators use IP not merely as legal protection, but as a strategic tool to build competitive advantage, create entry barrier for competition, attract investment, generate revenue and accelerate entrepreneurial growth.
Framework: Invent – Protect – Commercialize – Scale – Impact
Module 6 – Prototyping and Presentation
Session 12 – Rapid Prototyping
Many entrepreneurs mistakenly believe that innovation requires building a complete product before engaging with customers. In reality, successful innovators start with a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) – the simplest version of a solution that enables them to test key assumptions, gather feedback and learn quickly. This session introduces students to the principles of rapid prototyping, experimentation and iterative development using physical, digital and AI-assisted tools. Through hands-on exercises, students learn how to transform ideas into prototypes, test them with users and improve them based on evidence rather than assumptions.
Framework: Assumptions – MVP – Feedback – Learning – Iteration
Session 13 – Pitching your Idea
Innovators must be able to communicate their ideas clearly and persuasively. This session focuses on storytelling, investor pitches, customer presentations and innovation narratives. Students analyze successful startup pitch decks and learn how to articulate problems, solutions, business models and impact in a compelling manner.
How to Pitch a Brilliant Idea (HBR, September 2003)
Framework: Opportunity – Problem – Solution – Business – Impact – Ask
Session 14 – Demo Day
The course culminates in an Innovation Demo Day where student teams present their projects to peers, faculty, industry leaders, entrepreneurs and investors. Teams demonstrate prototypes, explain customer insights and business models and deliver final pitches. The session celebrates innovation while providing valuable feedback and networking opportunities.
Framework: Problem – Insight – Prototype – Business Model – Pitch
Course Summary
Case Study Library
Ather Energy, Agnikul Cosmos, Zoho Corporation, Freshworks, Zerodha, Niramai, QpiAI, UPI ecosystem, Aadhaar ecosystem and ISRO
Tesla, SpaceX, Amazon, Google, Apple, Dyson, Airbnb, Netflix, NVIDIA, Open AI
Format – Origin Story, Problem being solved, Innovation, Business Model, Key Inflection points, Challenges & Failures, Leadership lessons, Technology lessons, Entrepreneurship lessons, Discussion questions.
Benchmarking against MIT and Stanford courses
- Stanford d.school – Design Thinking
- Stanford Lean Launchpad – Customer Discovery (Steve Blank)
- MIT New Enterprises – Venture creation
- HBS Case Method – Case-based learning
- IIT Madras Deep – Tech Ecosystem – Research Commercialization
- Indian Innovation Stories – Aadhaar, UPI, ISRO, Ather, Agnikul etc
Session Plan (2.5 hours)
- Introduction to key concepts – 30 minutes
- Case study discussion – 30 minutes
- Team Exercise – 30 minutes
- Guest Speaker – 30 minutes
- Summarizing Key learning – 30 minutes
Assessment Structure
- Team Project – 30 %
- Customer Discovery – 10 %
- Mid-Sem Innovation Challenge – 20 %
- Prototype Demo – 20 %
- Final Pitch – 20 %
