Tech Startup Learning Activities: A Formative Evaluation

The Tech Startup model is an approach where students in Software Engineering and Entrepreneurship courses form interdisciplinary teams to create businesses based on software products. The model combines Agile software development with compatible practices from Lean Startup to foster collaboration on real technology startup businesses (tech startups). This paper introduces learning activities for use in the Tech Startup model intended to improve adherence to Agile and Lean Startup methodologies. This study describes a formative evaluation of the learning activities used for: project ideation, project planning, iterative delivery & feedback, and teamwork assessment. The study synthesizes responses to a questionnaire with feedback from three focus groups at the conclusion of an academic term. Based on our findings and observations, we report suggestions for encouraging innovative project ideas from Software Engineering students as well as approaches to holding students accountable for adhering to Agile practices.