Executive Director
The Business Plan course is designed to provide participants with the knowledge and skills to gather and process information on new or existing business ideas, to make decisions and plan the sustainable development of the company over time. The course will be articulated by alternating didactic experiences with business testimonials from leading experts on the main topics addressed: from the building of the business idea, through market analysis and planning, to the management of relations with the entrepreneurial network and the raising of finance.
The chosen teaching method, characterised by numerous comparisons with everyday practical situations, is based on the conviction that some of the skills needed to carry out a successful business project cannot be taught. The inventiveness, passion, and creativity that underpin the business planning process must be combined with methodological knowledge to create a framework that can be referred to in order to maximise the chances of success.
The course is aimed both at those who already have business experience and wish to refine their planning skills in a professional manner, and at those who find themselves managing the genesis of a business project for the first time.
The course consists of 4 on-campus full-time days in Italian. In addition to the on-campus lessons, there will be self-study activities, two evening online sessions of two hours each for teaching support to the course and participants’ projects.
ACCREDITATIONS AND RANKINGS
Bologna Business School is EQUIS – EFMD Quality Improvement System accredited, one of the most important international quality assessment and continuous improvement systems for Schools of Management and Business Administration.
Bologna Business School’s Open Programs are included in the Financial Times Ranking in the Executive Education 2026 category.
Paolo Di Marco
Director of Studies
pdimarco@bbs.unibo.it
"In an ever-changing competitive environment, characterised by pressing challenges such as globalisation, sustainability, and artificial intelligence systems, the complexity of decision-making processes increases considerably, and with it the need to break free from entrepreneurial intuition and rely on data and information, collected in planning documents. Whoever is involved in a business project, from corporations to start-ups, must possess innovative talent, and at the same time master the tools to gather information in the right way, build scenario hypotheses, and support them with economic-financial forecasts, in order to produce credible and reliable business plans. These are the characteristics that open the door to entrepreneurial networks such as incubators and accelerators, and subsequently to the financiers necessary to realise the project, which we will discuss in the last part of the course."
Laura Toschi
"The Latin philosopher Seneca said that if one does not know the course to follow, no wind will be favorable. In business, there is no truer saying. The business plan is an essential tool for anyone who intends to develop innovative business projects because it represents a map to follow in order to best manage the countless complexities that such a path poses. "
Structure
The program consists of four full-time on campus days, complemented by periods of self-study and two online evening sessions dedicated to academic support and the development of participants’ business plan projects.
The structure is designed to combine classroom learning with practical application, allowing participants to progressively refine and strengthen their entrepreneurial projects throughout the program.
Attending the program will enable participants to:
- cultivate entrepreneurial creativity and transform innovative ideas into business concepts, vision, and mission for a successful enterprise;
- explore and integrate the opportunities generated by digitalization and AI applications;
- analyze markets, industries, and competitive scenarios to define effective business strategies;
- develop a credible and reliable Business Plan, including Business Model design and economic-financial forecasting;
- monitor the implementation of actions and their alignment with strategic objectives;
- understand how to develop a business idea within an entrepreneurial ecosystem, including incubators, accelerators, and the most common funding opportunities depending on the project’s stage of maturity.
COURSES
- Mindset entrepreneurial and Business Plan
- Market and sector analysis
- Workshop: tools for market and sector analysis
Strollo Federico
- Evaluation and investments (what to write and how on the Business Plan)
- Business Angel testimonial on how to evaluate Business Plans
- Communication and Pitch Workshops
- Final debrief
Toschi Laura
- Product development and intellectual property protection
- Business Models
- Workshop: the development of successful business models
- Startup Testimony that Raised Funding
- Understanding financials Part I
- Understanding financials Part II
- Mapping of financing arrangements
- Investor side testimonials
Learning approach
The teaching approach is strongly practice-oriented and integrates contributions from faculty members coming from academia, industry, and consulting. The program combines lectures, analysis of real business cases, and direct testimonials from managers, fostering learning that can be immediately applied in the workplace. Teaching activities are supported by an e-learning platform featuring materials and exercises to facilitate study and further exploration between sessions.
Faculty
Faculty members at Bologna Business School work together offering outstanding teaching standards. An international and interdisciplinary approach is guaranteed by a joint team of distinguished national core professors, adjunct, visiting professors, guest speakers and top managers.
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Laura Toschi
Associate Professor in Entrepreneurship and Innovation
University of Bologna
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Paolo Di Marco
Founding Partner
PDFOR Consulenza Direzionale
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Daniele Rimini
Owner & Management Consultant
PDFOR - Consulenza Direzionale
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Isella Vicini
Director European Funding Development
Warrant Hub
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Stefano Taioli
CEO
ABC Company
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Stefano Verde
Director Strategy
Gruppo Hera
Networking
The open program is an experience built around people and relationships, fostering valuable connections through continuous interaction among participants, faculty members, and managers. During the classroom sessions, a dynamic network develops, enriched by the diversity of experiences, roles, and industries. A vibrant ecosystem that enhances learning and continues to generate value over time.
COMPANIES
Companies within the Bologna Business School network actively contribute to the development of the Open Programs by helping shape the content and bringing real-world experience into the classroom. Managers and professionals take part through testimonials, real business cases, and direct contributions, enriching the learning journey with a practical perspective. Interaction with companies from different industries encourages a continuous exchange of experiences and best practices. This ongoing dialogue between the classroom and the business world creates a dynamic ecosystem where skills, perspectives, and approaches come together, generating value for all participants.
FEES
The enrollment fee for the program is:
- €3,200 (+ VAT) for registrations from companies and institutions
- €2,600 (+ VAT) for individual registrations
The fee includes attendance of the program, all study materials available through the online platform, and access to Bologna Business School services, including: personal Wi-Fi account and use of the study areas.
Discounts are available for:
- early registrations;
- companies belonging to the Business Network;
- Alma/BBS and Profingest Alumni;
- groups of at least 3 people.
HONOR LOAN
Alumni and Companies can check the availability of vouchers at the Interprofessional Fund reference:
Fondimpresa – for middle management
Fondo Dirigenti PMI – for managers of industrial SMEs
Fonditalia
Fondirigenti – for managers
Fon.Coop – for Cooperatives
REQUIREMENTS
The program is limited to a maximum of 30 participants in order to ensure an effective and interactive learning experience, and is open to professionals with diverse backgrounds and levels of experience.
APPLICATION PROCESS
To participate, it is necessary to request the application form by emailing openprograms@bbs.unibo.it. The team is available to provide all relevant information and support candidates throughout the process.
FAQs
At the end of the course, a participation certificate is issued (upon reaching 80% of classroom hours).
The documents used in the classroom and any further reading or exercises will be uploaded to our platform, whose credentials will be delivered in the classroom.
Should a group of colleagues wish to participate in the program, it is possible to contact the Program Manager to evaluate an ad hoc participation price.
Our short courses do not require a specific course of study. It is important to have a few years of work experience behind you that can help you, inside the classroom, by bringing real cases dealt with and solutions adopted during your work.
