Open education for startup theory and practice: the experience of IULM Innovation Lab

Summary: The analysis proposed in this paper starts with the considerations about the innovative dynamics of a deep renewal in the sector of the education under the impact of global changes of a post-industrial era and, in particular, in response to the growing necessity to develop modern solutions to effective business education necessity. After, the research will be focused on the list of concrete typical methods and strategies used by startup accelerators for traduce in practice innovation proposals described above. The main direction of exploration will lead to the connection between methods and strategies mentioned and the winning characteristics of startups that they contribute to develop. Another interesting connection will be with different types of startups business models and dynamics of their forming. The examples of the IULM Innovation Lab practice will integrate and conclude the research.Global changes in the post-industrial era had a profound impact on the education sector, urging a substantial re-thinking especially in relation to effective business education. Abstract: The paper explores the theme of new entrepreneurial training models with specific reference to the needs of soft-skills and creative businesses. After a review of the literature on the topics of new entrepreneurship and on the evolution of business education, the paper proposes a taxonomy of methods and strategies used by startup accelerators to translate into practice innovation practices. In particular the article analyses the connection between the methods and strategies of accelerators and the winning characteristics of startups that these methods contribute to develop. Further conclusions also emerge from the analysis of the business models adopted by start-ups, and the dynamics in their genesis by using the experience of the university accelerator IULM Innovation Lab. Final considerations will illustrate a number of useful recommendations to the development of innovative entrepreneurial training models in university accelerators.