XP Labs

XP Lab stands for “Experience Lab” and provides a practice-oriented learning environment where students apply innovation and entrepreneurial methods and tools in hands-on settings. An experiential, interdisciplinary learning environment in which you get the chance to explore innovation and entrepreneurship through hands on methods, real world challenges, and reflective practice. Designed as practice oriented modules, our XP Labs combine methodological depth with creative exploration, teamwork, and exposure to actors from the innovation and start up ecosystem.
•    Semester 1: XP Lab Innovation
•    Semester 2: XP Lab Entrepreneurship

XP Lab Innovation

Immerses students in experiential innovation practice, based on the competences they have developed in the Foundations of Innovation module in the first half of the semester. Across seven hands on sessions in the second half of the semester, they explore how innovation emerges under uncertainty and complexity, using methods such as foresight, design thinking, systems mapping and ethical reasoning. In interdisciplinary teams, students develop concepts, prototype solutions, and pitch their results while engaging in structured reflection.

XP Lab Entrepreneurship

Builds on Foundations of Entrepreneurship and focuses on applying entrepreneurial decision making in real‑world contexts and is conducted in the second half of the second semester. Through direct interaction with founders, legal and financial experts, and investors, students work on real cases, hands‑on exercises and live startup insights. The module emphasizes applying entrepreneurial methods, evaluating opportunities and experimenting with venture approaches. Students are not required to found a startup. Students who choose not to start their own venture still benefit fully from the development of an entrepreneurial mindset, adaptability and decision making skills developed in the module.

Dates
Regular classes on Friday afternoons in the second half of the semester. Please find more details in the UZH Course Catalogue.  

Part of the series: XP Lab Kickstart (1 ECTS) – an elective option, open for all students, not only Minor participants. Please find more details in the VVZ.

Prof. Beth Singler (Module Responsibility for XP Lab Innovation)

Prof. Ulrich Kaiser (Module Responsibility for XP Lab Entrepreneurship)