Charles Chang Certificate in Innovation and Entrepreneurship

For general certificate inquiries, please contact Comms_changinstitute@sfu.ca

To declare the certificate, please see a Beedie advisor by booking an appointment through sfubeedie_undergrad@sfu.ca 

Fulfill your major, minor and breadth requirements while earning a certificate.
4 core courses, 2 elective courses, 1 capstone course

BUS 238 eligible for B-SOC requirement 
For a full list of available certificate elective courses, please visit SFU Calendar

4 Core courses:

BUS 238 - Introduction to Entrepreneurship and Innovation (3)

Students will build collaborative and creative skills necessary to become effective innovators through hands-on application via interdisciplinary teamwork. Entrepreneurship and innovation of all types will be addressed, including social, commercial, creative, sustainable, and technological perspectives. Prerequisite: 12 units. Open to all SFU undergraduate students.

• Term: Summer 2026
• Location: Surrey Campus SRYC 5140  
• Instructor: Prof. Amyn Somani

OR

BUS 240 - Introduction to Innovation (3)

An introduction to key innovation concepts and processes, and how innovation is organized in established organizations and start-ups. Students will learn their role as agents of innovation by practicing techniques that help them anticipate opportunities, generate innovative concepts, and implement innovation in established organizations, entrepreneurial ventures, and society. Prerequisite: 12 units. Limited seats available for non-Beedie students.

• Term: Summer 2026
• Location: Burnaby Campus or Surrey Campus at your choice
• Instructor: TBA

AND

BUS 314 - Resourcing New Ventures (3)

Start-up and early-stage ventures have particular financial challenges associated with the uncertain and unproven nature of the project. This course analyzes how entrepreneurs and their financial backers can spot, create, and manage value. Topics covered include opportunity recognition, cash flow forecasting, valuation methodologies, financial contracts, and careful negotiations. Various sources are considered for start-up capital (private debt, angel financiers, venture capitalists, development banks), and different strategies are considered for harvesting or exiting (initial public offerings, merger, acquisition, leveraged buy-out, shut down) a venture. Prerequisite: BUS 238 or BUS 240, with a minimum grade of C-; 45 units. Open to all SFU undergraduate students.

BUS 338 - Foundations of Innovation (3)

An introduction to the theory and practice of the management of technological innovation. The external environment for technological innovation is examined through an investigation of national and regional systems of innovation. The internal firm capabilities for creating and sustaining innovative firms are explored in detail, from the creation of ideas through to the commercialization of new products and services. Proficiency is gained in identifying sources of innovative value, implementing processes to capture it, and creating strategies for commercialization. Prerequisite: BUS 238 or BUS 240, with a minimum grade of C-; 45 units. Open to all SFU undergraduate students.

BUS 361 - Project Management (3)

Introduction to the hard and soft skills of project management. Management software and techniques such as work breakdown, estimation, budgeting, and status reporting are used. Applies structured processes and develops team-based skills and knowledge. Assumes no prior computing or technical knowledge. Prerequisite: 45 units. Open to all SFU undergraduate students.

2 Electives 

Please visit the SFU Calendar

1 Capstone

BUS 477 - Startup Experience (4)

This experiential course will expose students to the planning and development process of creating a startup. Emphasis is placed on integrating and applying all of the foundational skills acquired in previous entrepreneurship and innovation classes in a real-world setting. Prerequisite: BUS 338 and BUS 360W, or innovation and entrepreneurship certificate students with BUS 338 and an upper division Writing (W) course, both with a minimum grade of C-; 60 units. Recommended: BUS 314, BUS 361.

OR

Specialized Capstone Course: 400-level department-based capstone course (4)