Entrepreneurship and Venture Management

The Master’s programme in Venture Management and Business Scaling focuses on the practical aspects of managing and scaling new businesses, standing out from conventional entrepreneurship master's programmes’ attention on the preliminary stages of opportunity recognition and business model design. This unique programme is tailored to specific management career paths such as founders associates in startups, junior management roles in scaling ventures, and next-generation CEOs of new family business spin-off ventures.



The programme aims to equip students with the specialised skills and knowledge required to manage ventures from startup to harvest. It leverages the expertise and reputation of the Centre for Entrepreneurial Growth & Scaling (CEGS) at the University of Galway, a founder member of the European Scaleup Institute. Building on the established reputation for Masters degrees in Management at the J.E. Cairnes School of Business and Economics, this programme integrates the University’s priority research areas by focusing on scaling solutions to global challenges at the firm level.



Practical Experience and Distinctive Approach



The programme differs from traditional entrepreneurship programmes that emphasise pre-start skills often provided for free by incubators and accelerators, this Master's programme focuses on the critical stages of business growth and scaling. This approach aligns with the graduate demand for clear career pathways and job readiness upon graduation, addressing a common void of conventional entrepreneurship programmes.



Students in this programme will engage in consulting work with university spinouts and startups within Galway’s dynamic entrepreneurial ecosystem, gaining hands-on experience in real-world venture management and business scaling. The programme was developed in consultation with venture HR specialists and CEOs hiring Founder’s Associates. It addresses the specific knowledge and skill needs in entrepreneurial strategy, finance, sales, leadership, data analytics, and project management, ensuring graduates are well-equipped for the demands of startup to growth and scaling phases.

Course Outline



Semester 1 - Core Modules

Core Modules ECTS

Critical Thinking & Analytical Skills 5 ECTS

Business & Professional Development Skills 5 ECTS

International Entrepreneurship 10 ECTS

Founder Selling 5 ECTS

Strategic Management 5 ECTS



Semester 2 - Core Modules

Core Modules ECTS

Entrepreneurial Financial Management 10 ECTS

Digital, People and Business Analytics 10 ECTS

Elective Modules (10 ECTS) ECTS

Scaling Big Ideas 5 ECTS

Megatrends 5 ECTS

Introduction to Sustainability 5 ECTS

Project Management 5 ECTS

Negotiations 5ECTS

Leading Change and Business Transformation 5 ECTS



Semester 3

Core Modules

Managing Scaling Ventures summer school 10 ECTS

Applied Consultancy Report – Capstone project working with local venture teams 20 ECTS

Applications must be completed online at: https://nuigalway.elluciancrmrecruit.com/Apply/Account/Login.



An application requires a registration fee of €35. You will be asked to upload proof of identification, academic transcripts, a personal statement, an academic reference and documentation to fulfil the English requirement (where English is not your first language).

1 year (3 semesters)

Next start date September 2025

Career Opportunities

While many entrepreneurship programmes concentrate on prestart activities like opportunity recognition and business model design, this course uniquely emphasises the management of new ventures from startup to scaleup and harvest.



This programme covers critical areas often overlooked in traditional entrepreneurship courses, such as selling, finance, talent management, and operations. It equips students with the skills needed for marketing & sales and finance & operations, addressing key deficits identified in Ireland's startup ecosystem (ScaleIreland surveys 2023, 2024).