No high-tech corporation can remain competitive without a clear, forward-looking R&D strategy. Yet many struggle to translate innovation ambitions into structured and adaptive portfolios. Technological change often outpaces internal structures. Platform architectures introduce coordination bottlenecks. Regulatory, sustainability, and stakeholder demands strain already complex pipelines.
This course equips students with the tools and frameworks needed to structure, assess, and communicate innovation portfolios in matrixed and global R&D settings. It integrates strategic logic with practical diagnostics, covering real-option valuation, TRL scoring, TTM acceleration levers, and stakeholder-aligned roadmapping.
We begin with portfolio segmentation across core, adjacent, and transformational innovations. Students learn to assess project interdependencies, manage trade-offs between platform design and market readiness, and apply real-option reasoning to high-uncertainty initiatives. Organizational feasibility and governance fit are analyzed through contingency theory and platform risk bottlenecks.
In the final modules, students design board-ready roadmaps that align innovation timing, maturity, and ESG foresight. Communication skills are sharpened through scenario labs and a board-pitch simulation, drawing on tools from Pfeffermann et al. for strategy storytelling and stakeholder alignment.
Special attention is given to startup–corporate integration: how entrepreneurial logic (speed, focus, uncertainty navigation) complements, or disrupts, corporate R&D rhythms. Students explore these tensions through cases and peer review.
The course blends theory and application through readings, simulations, and peer feedback. It is particularly suited for students interested in strategic innovation management, corporate R&D leadership, and technology-intensive industries.
Exam info and full course description can be found in the course catalogue.
Requirements for taking the exam
In order to participate in the exam, there is an 11 days attendance requirement
Course specific:
To apply for the course, you must have passed a Bachelor's degree in Business Economics, Business Administration, or an equivalent degree.
Participants should have prior coursework or demonstrable experience in business strategy, innovation management, or technology/engineering project planning at the Bachelor's level or higher. Familiarity with basic concepts in organizational design and strategic decision-making is recommended. The course is suitable for Master's students from business, engineering, and innovation-related disciplines
General:
Exchange students: nomination from your home university
Freemovers: documentation for English Language proficiency
You can read more about admission here.
Giovanni Velotto has nearly 20 years in corporate R&D and product development, focused on electrification and renewable energy. His background spans public-sector applied research and university research. His strengths include stakeholder management, end-to-end R&D roadmapping, and portfolio execution. He holds an MSc in Psychology (2025), an Executive MBA, and a PhD in Electrical Engineering (2007). His interests lie in innovation, organisational psychology, and strategy execution.
