Explore our Classes offered this Winter Semester 2026/27

How does an idea become a viable company, why do people so often decide differently than they themselves would expect, and how do you lead a team of volunteers? These questions are at the center of the three courses our chair offers in the winter semester 2026/27, including the new Leadership Lab for members of student organizations. All three combine academic foundations with hands-on practice. We look forward to seeing new and familiar faces at WFI.

From Idea to Commercialization: Start-up School

Master's course, 5 ECTS, mandatory course for ENTRE, mandatory elective for MARKT, room NB-301

In the Start-up School, students spend the whole semester developing a business idea of their own. Working in teams, they go through every stage of building a venture: finding and testing ideas, prototyping, designing a business model, planning funding, and preparing the market launch. The semester ends with the New Venture Challenge, where teams pitch to a jury of seasoned entrepreneurs and investors.

The course is designed for students who want to join innovation teams in established companies or start their own ventures. It is co-taught by Prof. Dr. Shashi Matta and Maximilian Bauer. Further guests from the start-up scenes in Germany and the US join during the semester.

Consumer Psychology and Decision Making

Master's course, 5 ECTS, mandatory course for Business & Psychology, mandatory elective for MARKT and ENTRE, room NB-201

Why do we buy what we buy? Prof. Dr. Shashi Matta introduces the key theories of consumer psychology and decision making, from heuristics and biases to social influence, emotions, and cultural differences. Recent studies from consumer research show where the field stands today, and international guest professors share their own research with the class.

These insights raise concrete questions for companies and policy makers. How can they be used responsibly, for example in health, personal finance, and sustainability? And where are the limits of influencing consumers? Students discuss these questions in class as well.

Leadership Lab: For Student Organization Members and Leaders

New module, Bachelor's and Master's level, 5 ECTS, Studium.Pro, online

The Leadership Lab is new to our program and is open only to members of registered student organizations at KU. Anyone who leads a student group knows the challenge: the team is made up of volunteers, people often stay for a limited time, and there is no formal authority. This is where the module comes in. Students apply evidence-based leadership concepts to their own work in a KU student organization. They build teams, motivate volunteers, run meetings, handle conflicts, and make responsible decisions. Practical questions, such as the statutes and rules of procedure of a registered association, are covered as well.

The module is led by Prof. Dr. Shashi Matta. It starts with an online kickoff and then accompanies students through the semester, with at least one feedback round with the instructor. At the end, participants write a reflection essay on their leadership identity and their involvement in their organization.

Participation requires active involvement in a student organization. Student organization leaders are required to nominate participants. Every nomination should be accompanied by a short statement (50 to 150 words) describing each nominated member's engagement.

Dates and syllabi

Dates, rooms, and assessment details for all courses are listed in the syllabi on our teaching page.

Further information and related articles

Our courses and syllabi at a glance