Educating technology-based entrepreneurs: The development of an MBA Program in Creative and Cultural Entrepreneurship

The state of business in Indonesia shows that (1) the number of entrepreneurs compared to its population is very low and (2) the proportion of micro and small businesses on total businesses is very high. Therefore Indonesia needs to develop more higher-value-added entrepreneurs. Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB) has taken on the responsibility to develop such entrepreneurs. With its strengths in science, technology, art and design, ITB is in good position to play this role. ITB´s School of Business and Management takes a lead in harnessing these strengths to develop a breakthrough MBA Program in Creative and Cultural Entrepreneurship. The program was launched in July 2011 and started accepting students in August 2011. This paper explains why creative and cultural-related industries are targeted. Entrepreneurship education issues will be addressed since educating entrepreneurs needs a different approach than a conventional one. A methodology was followed including literature review, benchmarking, site visits and interviews. The results of this development consist of (1) a complete curriculum of MBA Program in Creative and Cultural Entrepreneurship and (2) entrepreneurship education ecosystem which supports the curriculum to achieve the program´s goal in developing new entrepreneurs in creative and cultural related industries.