Course Details
- Course Type: MOOC (100% online, self-paced), 25 hours (total workload)
- Course Duration: Autumn/Winter Semester (15 October 2026 – 28 February 2027)
- Credits: 2 ECTS
- Who is it for? Students and Staff
- Now Available on ACE²-EU Moodle platform
About the Course
Every entrepreneurial journey begins with curiosity.
The ACE²-EU Entrepreneurship Academy Foundation Course is the starting point for students who want to explore entrepreneurship, develop future-ready skills, strengthen their entrepreneurial mindset and understand how ideas can be turned into action.
No business idea is required. No previous entrepreneurship experience is needed. Whether students are interested in founding a start-up, developing their own ideas or simply building valuable skills for their future careers, the Foundation Course provides an accessible starting point.
Designed as a flexible, self-paced online programme, the Foundation Course allows participants to learn anytime and anywhere through the MOODLE learning platform. At their own pace, learners build a solid foundation in entrepreneurship while earning academic recognition through ECTS credits and a certificate of completion.
The focus of student-facing communication should be on flexibility and outcomes rather than workload. The approximately 15 learning units should be communicated transparently on the detailed course or registration page, but should not lead the awareness campaign.
More than an online course, the Basic Course is the gateway to the ACE²-EU Entrepreneurship Academy. It opens the door to a European community of aspiring entrepreneurs, innovators, students, experts and ecosystem partners.
Upon successful completion, participants meet the prerequisite for progressing to the Advanced Course and can apply for the International Traineeship Week. They can also discover networking opportunities and further Entrepreneurship Academy activities across Europe.
The Foundation Course should therefore not be positioned as an isolated MOOC. It is the first step in a wider European entrepreneurship journey:
DISCOVER → LEARN → UNLOCK → CONNECT & EXPERIENCE
The journey does not end with a certificate – in many ways, that is where the next stage begins. From foundational knowledge to advanced learning, networking and international experiences, participants can become part of a growing European entrepreneurship ecosystem that inspires collaboration, innovation and lifelong entrepreneurial learning.
What you will develop
- Opportunity spotting – recognise opportunities where others see problems.
- Problem solving – tackle real challenges in a structured way.
- Developing and testing ideas – move from a first idea to something you can validate.
- Creative thinking – find new and unexpected approaches.
- Taking initiative – become active instead of waiting.
- Communicating ideas – present your ideas clearly and convincingly.
- Turning ideas into action – translate plans into concrete next steps.
The Curriculum
- Think Like an Entrepreneur
- Introduction to Social Entrepreneurship
- Leadership & Team Development
- Project Management
- Design Thinking
- Problem Solving
- Understanding your customers
- Creative Thinking & Ideation
- Business Model & Value Proposition
- Technological Advancements in Start-ups and Business
- Prototyping
- Marketing Part 1
- Finance Part 1
- Storytelling
- Pitch Part 1
Course Journey
| Dates | 1 October 2026 |
| Format | Self-paced online learning on ACE²-EU Moodle |
| Resources | All materials available on the Moodle platform throughout the course |
| Final Assessment deadline | No fixed date |
| Organised by | ARIES Incubator — ACE²-EU Alliance |
Learning Outcomes
| Achievement | ECTS awarded | Recognition |
| Successful completion of the Foundation Course | 2 ECTS | Certificate of Completion |
Who should apply
- Students from all disciplines – not only business or economics
- Anyone curious about how ideas become opportunities
- Those who want to build transferable skills for their future career
- Aspiring founders who want to test and develop their own ideas
- Staff who want to strengthen their entrepreneurial mindset
- Anyone who wants to connect with a European entrepreneurship community
How to register
- Application deadline: No deadline – registration is open throughout the course.
- Registration form: Register directly via the ACE²-EU Moodle platform.
- Further information and enquiries: info.ariesincubator@e-ucb.ro