ImpacThon: Developing Solutions with Real-World Impact

Department

Bachelor's program Entrepreneurship, Tourism & Leisure Business

Course unit code

IEL-B-3+5-WPM-IEL

Number of ECTS credits allocated

5.0

Name of lecturer(s)

Ass. FH-Prof. Mag. Wieser Desiree, PhD, FH-Prof. Priv.-Doz. MMag. Dr. Zehrer Anita

Mode of delivery

face-to-face

Recommended optional program components

none

Assessment methods and criteria

Project work, Presentation

Level of course unit

Bachelor

Year of study

Fall 2026

Semester when the course unit is delivered

5

Language of instruction

English

Learning outcomes of the course unit

Upon completion of this elective course, students will be able to:

- Develop creative and entrepreneurial skills to design solutions for real-world challenges.
- Work effectively in interdisciplinary teams, collaborating with peers and external stakeholders.
- Co-create solutions that generate measurable social, environmental, or organizational impact.
- Reflect on learning and teamwork through hands-on, iterative, experiential and digital experiences.

Course contents

This course bridges academia and practice through a hands-on, challenge-based ImpacThon with the aim of connecting students, companies, researchers, and policymakers. This event fosters entrepreneurial, and innovative competencies via co-creation and design-thinking.

Adopting a science shop–inspired design thinking approach structured into three progressive phases – from problem exploration to real-world solutions – blending onsite teamwork with reflective learning and digital tools off campus. Students are provided with a real-world challenge by a company/institution and will work in interdisciplinary teams on finding a solution for this challenge.

Doing so, they will start with a site visit to the respective company/institution. Afterwards they will participate in an intensive 3-days on campus program (ImpacThon) where they will explore the challenge, co-create a solution with practitioners, and finally present this solution.

The goal is to develop a solution that generates impact beyond the immediate target group and for the wider society. All solutions will be pitched in the end and the best solution will be awarded. All pitches will be made available in a digital format to vote for the best.

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

The course comprises an interactive mix of lectures, discussions and individual and group work.

Work placement(s)

none