Management technology and entrepreneurship

Management Technology and Entrepreneurship at ETH Zurich is a dynamic and interdisciplinary master's program designed to equip students with the essential skills needed to innovate, lead, and manage technology-driven ventures. The program combines fundamental principles of management, engineering, and entrepreneurship to prepare graduates for the rapidly evolving landscape of technological startups and established enterprises. Students will explore areas such as digital transformation, product development, business strategy, innovation management, and venture creation, gaining both theoretical knowledge and practical experience through projects, workshops, and collaborations with industry partners. The curriculum emphasizes entrepreneurial thinking, leadership skills, and a proactive approach to solving complex real-world problems. Participants will learn how to analyze market needs, develop viable business models, secure funding, and scale innovative solutions. The program fosters a collaborative environment where students from multidisciplinary backgrounds work together to launch viable startups or drive innovation within existing organizations. With a strong focus on sustainability, digitalization, and societal impact, graduates will be well-prepared to assume leadership roles in technology companies, consulting firms, or to establish their own startups. The program offers opportunities for international exchange and networking, positioning students at the forefront of global innovation ecosystems. By the end of the program, students will have developed a comprehensive understanding of managing technological innovation and entrepreneurship from concept to market, enabling them to contribute effectively to economic development and technological progress.

The Master in Management, Technology and Entrepreneurship is a highly selective 120 credits program which includes 3 semesters of courses and a 6-month master project carried out in the industry.

The curriculum of the MTE master is mainly in English and consists of:

• Core courses (28 credits)
• Disciplinary minor (30 credits)
• Choice between 2 orientations (20 credits)
• Electives (12 credits)
• Master project in the industry (30 credits) 

Core courses (28 credits)

The core courses provide the students with substantial strengths and depths in conceptual and analytical foundations of management, and with solid quantitative methodological competences.

Examples of courses:

• Applied Probability and Stochastic Processes
• Introduction to Econometrics
• Principles of Finance

Disciplinary Minor (30 credits)

In order to get additional expertise in their original technological domain, the MTE master students must complete a “disciplinary minor”  in the field of their bachelor.

The disciplinary minor includes 30 credits of master level courses which are chosen in the study plans of the other EPFL sections.

Students who already hold a technical master degree will have to do the minor in Systems Engineering or a transdisciplinary minor (to see the offer, please visit the study plans & rules page).

Orientations (20 credits)

The orientations provide the students with more specific competences in one of the two main areas of management.

Orientation “Strategy, Innovation & Entrepreneurship”
The goal of this orientation is to develop competences in managing  the innovation processes  within firms.

Examples of courses:

• Strategic Marketing & Technology Commercialization
• Entrepreneurship & New Venture Strategy
• Technology & Innovation Strategy

Orientation “Operations Management & Systems Modeling”
The goal of this orientation is to develop competences in managing and improving industrial processes through quantitative models.

Examples of courses:

• Supply Chain Management
• Business Information Systems
• Quantitative Systems Modeling Techniques

Electives (12 credits)

The elective courses allow the students to round-off their education with courses in three main categories, depending on their preferences and specific future employment goals.

Industry focus – examples of courses:

• Economics of Innovation & Management in Energy
• Technology Policy and the Energy Transition
• Information Technology and e-business Strategy

Skill augmentation – examples of courses:

• Leading and Managing in a Global Context
• Negotiation Techniques
• Presentation Skills

Particular interest – examples of courses:

• B2B-High-tech Marketing
• Corporate Governance
• Global Business Environment

Master project (30 credits)

Carried out in the industry, the master project gives the students the opportunity to put into practice the methodological and technical competences acquired during their studies and to show their ability to work independently.

The specific content depends on host firm and project topic.

• Candidates should have a Bachelor’s degree in engineering or natural sciences from a reputable university with excellent academic record
• Your resumé (curriculum vitae)
• Copy of your University degree(s) or Bachelor's degree. If you don't have your degree yet, you will bring it to the Registrar's Office upon registration at EPFL*.
• Legalized transcripts from each university you have attended.
• A statement of purpose. See hereunder for a more detailed explanation.
• Three recommendations (except holders of any EPFL Bachelor's degree applying in another field than their original field and except for candidates from another Swiss university applying to a Master in the same field of study as their Bachelor).
  During the electronic application process, you will have to give the details of three referees, who will then be requested to produce recommendation letters for you directly to EPFL. See hereunder for a more detailed explanation.
• Your identity card or passport.
• For foreigners who already live in Switzerland: your residence permit.
• Extra documents such as TOEFL or GRE scores, research publications or other portfolios of your previous work, are welcome but not compulsory. We will only consider documents uploaded in your online application form. (No documents sent by postal mail).
• Application fee CHF 150.

Financial aid options for the Management, Technology and Entrepreneurship Master's program at EPFL include a range of scholarships, grants, and loan possibilities designed to support students throughout their studies. Swiss and international students enrolling in this program are encouraged to explore various funding sources to help cover tuition fees and living expenses. The university offers merit-based scholarships that consider academic excellence, leadership qualities, and extracurricular activities, which can partially or fully cover tuition costs. Additionally, they provide need-based grants for students demonstrating financial hardship, ensuring that talented individuals from diverse backgrounds have access to higher education.

Students are also advised to seek external funding opportunities, including government-sponsored scholarships, private foundations, and international organizations that promote education and entrepreneurship. EPFL has partnerships with numerous industry players, some of whom offer fellowships or sponsorships to promising students intending to pursue careers in management and technology sectors. Moreover, students may consider taking out student loans, both Swiss and international, to finance their studies, with some repayment options tailored to recent graduates’ income levels.

The university's financial aid office offers comprehensive guidance on application procedures, deadlines, and eligibility criteria. It is recommended that applicants submit their financial aid applications concurrently with their program admission materials to ensure consideration. Cost-of-living allowances are also available in some cases, particularly for students relocating from abroad or from different regions of Switzerland. Overall, EPFL’s approach to financing studies emphasizes a combination of institutional support and external funding sources to make the Management, Technology and Entrepreneurship program accessible to a broad spectrum of talented students.

The Management, Technology, and Entrepreneurship program at École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) is designed to equip students with a comprehensive understanding of the core principles of management and engineering, intertwined with entrepreneurial skills to foster innovation and leadership in technological environments. This interdisciplinary program emphasizes the integration of technical expertise with strategic management and entrepreneurial perspectives, aiming to prepare graduates for dynamic roles in startups, established companies, or their own ventures.

Throughout the curriculum, students engage with a blend of courses covering subjects such as business strategy, innovation management, finance, marketing, digital transformation, and entrepreneurship. They also acquire technical skills relevant to engineering and information technology, enabling them to understand and manage complex technological projects. The program promotes experiential learning through project-based coursework, case studies, and collaboration with industry partners, offering real-world insights and networking opportunities.

Students are encouraged to develop entrepreneurial mindset and skills, including business plan development, pitching, and startup management, often supported by incubator programs and innovation hubs associated with EPFL. The program also features international exchanges, allowing students to broaden their global perspective and experience different business environments.

Graduates of this program are well-positioned to pursue careers in technology management, consultancy, innovation and product development, entrepreneurship, or further academic research. The program's interdisciplinary approach, combining technical prowess with management and entrepreneurial acumen, aims to foster innovative leaders capable of navigating the rapidly evolving technological landscape and contributing to economic growth and societal progress.

This comprehensive education model reflects EPFL’s commitment to producing versatile professionals who can adapt to and shape the future of technology-driven industries.