

MBA in Startup Smes Management at Bapuji Academy of Management and Research


Davangere, Karnataka
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About the Specialization
What is Startup & SMEs Management at Bapuji Academy of Management and Research Davangere?
This Startup & SMEs Management program at Bapuji Academy of Management and Research (hypothetically, as official syllabus not found) would focus on equipping future leaders with the entrepreneurial mindset and operational skills vital for India''''s burgeoning startup ecosystem and vast SME sector. It would cover business model innovation, growth strategies, and navigating challenges unique to smaller and growing enterprises, reflecting the significant contribution of these sectors to the Indian economy.
Who Should Apply?
This program would be ideal for aspiring entrepreneurs, individuals from family businesses seeking modernization, fresh graduates passionate about launching their ventures, or professionals aiming to join dynamic startups and Small & Medium Enterprises. It would cater to those looking to develop skills in ideation, fundraising, strategic planning, and operational execution within a growth-oriented business environment in India.
Why Choose This Course?
Graduates of this program could expect diverse India-specific career paths as startup founders, SME consultants, business development managers, or innovation managers in both established companies and emerging ventures. Starting salaries for these roles typically range from INR 4-8 lakhs per annum, with significant growth potential depending on venture success and experience, aligning with India''''s entrepreneurial landscape.

Student Success Practices
Foundation Stage
Build Foundational Business Acumen- (Semester 1-2)
Focus on thoroughly understanding core MBA subjects like Marketing, Finance, and Operations, as these form the bedrock for any successful startup or SME. Actively participate in class discussions and solve case studies to develop critical analytical skills.
Tools & Resources
Harvard Business Review cases, NPTEL courses on core business functions, Livemint, Economic Times for financial news
Career Connection
Strong fundamentals enable informed decision-making for market analysis, financial planning, and operational efficiency, crucial for early-stage ventures.
Engage in Ideation & Market Research Challenges- (Semester 1-2)
Participate in campus entrepreneurship clubs, design thinking workshops, and local idea pitching competitions. Conduct preliminary market research for potential business ideas, identifying gaps and opportunities specific to the Indian context.
Tools & Resources
Lean Canvas, Online survey tools like Google Forms, Startup community events in Davangere/Bangalore
Career Connection
Develops innovative thinking and market validation skills, essential for identifying viable business opportunities and preparing for entrepreneurial roles.
Develop Professional Networking Skills- (Semester 1-2)
Attend industry talks, guest lectures by entrepreneurs, and local business association meetings. Practice professional communication and build connections with faculty, alumni, and early-stage entrepreneurs.
Tools & Resources
LinkedIn, Local Chambers of Commerce, College alumni network platforms
Career Connection
Creates opportunities for mentorship, potential partnerships, and early exposure to the startup and SME ecosystem, aiding future career navigation.
Intermediate Stage
Undertake a Specialized Industry Internship- (After Semester 2 (Summer Break))
Seek summer internships specifically within startups, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), or venture capital/incubator firms. Focus on roles related to business development, marketing, operations, or product management to gain practical exposure.
Tools & Resources
College placement cell, Startup job portals like AngelList India, LinkedIn
Career Connection
Provides hands-on experience in real-world startup/SME environments, making students job-ready and building a relevant professional network.
Develop a Comprehensive Business Plan- (Semester 3)
Apply theoretical knowledge to create a detailed business plan for a new venture or a growth strategy for an existing SME. Incorporate market analysis, financial projections, operational plans, and funding strategies. Participate in business plan competitions.
Tools & Resources
Mentorship from faculty and industry experts, Business plan templates, Financial modeling software like Excel
Career Connection
This is a direct application of entrepreneurial skills, critical for launching a startup or contributing strategically to an SME, showcasing strategic thinking and execution capability.
Cultivate Digital & Growth Marketing Skills- (Semester 3-4)
Acquire practical skills in digital marketing strategies relevant to startups and SMEs, including social media marketing, SEO basics, content creation, and analytics. Explore tools for cost-effective customer acquisition and brand building.
Tools & Resources
Google Ads & Analytics certifications, Meta Blueprint, HubSpot Academy
Career Connection
Essential for promoting new ventures and expanding the reach of SMEs with limited budgets, making graduates highly valuable in marketing and growth roles.
Advanced Stage
Engage in Real-world Consultancy Projects- (Semester 3-4)
Undertake live projects or mini-consultancy assignments for local SMEs, addressing real business challenges like market entry, process improvement, or digital transformation. This can be part of the final project or an independent initiative.
Tools & Resources
Faculty guidance, Industry contacts from college, Professional networking platforms
Career Connection
Develops problem-solving, analytical, and client management skills, preparing students for consulting roles or strategic positions within SMEs.
Master Financial Acumen for Startups & SMEs- (Semester 3-4)
Deepen understanding of startup funding mechanisms (angel, VC, bootstrapping), financial modeling, valuation techniques, and cash flow management specific to growth-oriented businesses. Learn how to prepare compelling investor pitches.
Tools & Resources
Online courses on startup finance, Workshops by financial experts, Financial modeling templates
Career Connection
Crucial for roles in venture capital, financial management within startups, or as a founder seeking investment, enhancing skills in financial sustainability and growth.
Develop a Personal Entrepreneurial Portfolio- (Semester 4 (leading up to placements))
Compile all entrepreneurial projects, business plans, internship experiences, and skill certifications into a comprehensive portfolio. This can include a personal website or a well-structured digital document to showcase capabilities to potential employers or investors.
Tools & Resources
Personal website builders like Wix, Squarespace, Online portfolio platforms, LinkedIn
Career Connection
A strong portfolio demonstrates initiative, practical experience, and a readiness for leadership roles in startups or managing key functions in SMEs, differentiating candidates in the job market.
Program Structure and Curriculum
Eligibility:
- A candidate who has passed any degree of Davangere University or of any other University recognized as equivalent thereto by Davangere University and has secured not less than 50% of the marks in aggregate excluding class and other reservations shall be eligible for admission to MBA Degree program. (45% in case of SC/ST/CAT-I candidates).
Duration: 2 years / 4 semesters
Credits: 96 Credits
Assessment: Internal: 30%, External: 70%
Semester-wise Curriculum Table
Semester 1
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.1 | Management Process & Organizational Behaviour | Core | 4 | Management Concepts and Functions, Organizational Behaviour Basics, Perception, Personality, Learning, Motivation, Leadership, Group Dynamics, Organizational Structure and Change |
| 1.2 | Managerial Economics | Core | 4 | Introduction to Managerial Economics, Demand Analysis and Forecasting, Production and Cost Analysis, Market Structures and Pricing Strategies, Capital Budgeting and Risk Analysis |
| 1.3 | Accounting for Management | Core | 4 | Financial Accounting Fundamentals, Preparation of Financial Statements, Analysis of Financial Statements, Cost Accounting Concepts, Budgetary Control and Variance Analysis |
| 1.4 | Business Statistics | Core | 4 | Introduction to Business Statistics, Measures of Central Tendency and Dispersion, Probability and Probability Distributions, Sampling, Estimation, and Hypothesis Testing, Correlation and Regression Analysis |
| 1.5 | Business Law & Ethics | Core | 4 | Indian Contract Act 1872, Sale of Goods Act 1930, Consumer Protection Act 2019, Companies Act 2013, Business Ethics and Corporate Governance |
Semester 2
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.1 | Marketing Management | Core | 4 | Marketing Concepts and Environment, Market Segmentation, Targeting, Positioning, Product and Pricing Decisions, Promotion and Distribution Strategies, Services Marketing and Digital Marketing |
| 2.2 | Human Resource Management | Core | 4 | HR Planning and Job Analysis, Recruitment and Selection, Training, Development, and Performance Management, Compensation and Benefits Management, Industrial Relations and HR Challenges |
| 2.3 | Financial Management | Core | 4 | Introduction to Financial Management, Time Value of Money, Capital Budgeting Decisions, Cost of Capital and Capital Structure, Working Capital Management and Dividend Policy |
| 2.4 | Production and Operations Management | Core | 4 | Operations Strategy and Design, Facility Location and Layout, Production Planning and Control, Inventory Management Techniques, Quality Management and Supply Chain Management |
| 2.5 | Research Methodology | Core | 4 | Research Process and Problem Formulation, Research Design Types, Data Collection Methods and Sampling, Data Analysis and Interpretation, Report Writing and Research Ethics |
Semester 3
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.1 | Strategic Management | Core | 4 | Strategic Management Process, Environmental Analysis, Internal Analysis and Core Competencies, Strategy Formulation and Implementation, Strategic Control and Evaluation |
| 3.2 | Entrepreneurship Development | Core | 4 | Concept and Process of Entrepreneurship, Business Idea Generation and Opportunity Analysis, Business Plan Preparation, Funding Sources for New Ventures, Legal and Regulatory Framework for Startups |
| 3.3 | Management Information Systems | Core | 4 | Role of IS in Business Management, Information Technology Infrastructure, E-commerce and E-business Systems, Decision Support Systems and Business Intelligence, Database Management and Cyber Security |
| 3.4 | International Business | Core | 4 | Globalization and International Trade Theories, Foreign Exchange Markets and Risk Management, International Marketing Strategies, International Financial Management, Global Business Environment and Ethics |
| Elective-I | Specialization Elective 1 (Not Identified for ''''Startup & SMEs Management'''') | Elective | 4 | |
| Elective-II | Specialization Elective 2 (Not Identified for ''''Startup & SMEs Management'''') | Elective | 4 | |
| 3.5 | Summer Internship Project | Project | 4 | Industry Exposure and Practical Application, Problem Identification and Data Collection, Analysis, Findings, and Recommendations, Report Writing and Presentation, Professional Communication and Ethics |
Semester 4
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.1 | Corporate Governance, Ethics & CSR | Core | 4 | Principles of Corporate Governance, Role of Board of Directors and Stakeholders, Business Ethics and Ethical Decision Making, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), Sustainability and Responsible Business Practices |
| 4.2 | Total Quality Management | Core | 4 | Concepts and Principles of TQM, Quality Gurus and Philosophies, Quality Tools and Techniques, ISO Standards and Quality Certifications, Six Sigma, Lean Management, and Benchmarking |
| 4.3 | Cross Cultural Management | Core | 4 | Understanding Culture and its Dimensions, Cross-Cultural Communication and Negotiation, Leadership and Motivation Across Cultures, International Human Resource Management, Managing Cultural Diversity in Global Organizations |
| 4.4 | Global Business Environment | Core | 4 | Economic Systems and Global Economy, Political, Legal, and Technological Environments, Social, Cultural, and Demographic Environments, International Economic Institutions and Agreements, Emerging Markets and Global Competitiveness |
| Elective-III | Specialization Elective 3 (Not Identified for ''''Startup & SMEs Management'''') | Elective | 4 | |
| Elective-IV | Specialization Elective 4 (Not Identified for ''''Startup & SMEs Management'''') | Elective | 4 | |
| 4.5 | Project Report & Viva-Voce | Project | 4 | Comprehensive Project Development, Application of Research Methodologies, Advanced Data Analysis and Interpretation, Thesis Writing and Documentation, Oral Presentation and Defense of Research |




