Turning ideas into action: Digital Entrepreneurship at RMIT

Digital disruption isn’t a future scenario – it’s already here. Across industries and borders, organisations are racing to adapt. Digital Entrepreneurship, a course in RMIT’s MBA program taught by Dr Dan Fuller, helps you do more than keep up – it prepares you to lead.

Whether you’re launching a startup or driving innovation inside an existing company, this course gives you the mindset, tools and real-world perspective to turn opportunities into action.

A launchpad for real-world ventures

At its core, the course is about building something viable – a digital business that responds to genuine needs in the market. Along the way, you’ll explore how digital entrepreneurship contributes to the modern economy, how emerging technologies are reshaping industries, and what it takes to succeed in different regional and cultural contexts.

You’ll also examine the barriers and enablers that impact innovation. From digital platforms to AI-powered tools, you’ll gain a working understanding of how digital ventures are created and how they grow.

“To summarise the course in one sentence,” says Dr Fuller, “it’s about using digital tools and AI to develop a feasible digital business.” 

Learn by doing not just by reading

This isn’t a lecture-heavy course. It’s hands-on, collaborative and structured like a real startup journey. You’ll work in teams to develop ideas, pitch them, receive feedback, and iterate all while applying concepts in real time.

“Each activity builds on the last,” Dr Fuller explains. “This small-win strategy helps students stay engaged and see their progress unfold.”

The classroom becomes a co-creation space. Students debate, review each other’s ideas, and share domain expertise. For example, someone with advertising experience might help refine a peer’s digital marketing strategy, while another student might contribute technical or financial insight.

Guest speakers and field trips add further depth. In one semester, students visited a local business incubator to speak with active entrepreneurs and learn about the support ecosystem for Vietnamese startups.

Building confidence, not just knowledge

The learning outcomes go far beyond business plans. You’ll walk away with:

• A clearer understanding of what it means to be a digital entrepreneur
• The ability to spot opportunities and act on them
• Practical experience using digital tools to develop and test MVPs
• Greater confidence in navigating ambiguity and risk

Perhaps most importantly, the course helps you realise that entrepreneurship doesn’t have to wait until “someday.”

“Students leave with the mindset that it’s possible to be an entrepreneur alongside their current job,” says Dr Fuller. “It’s about seeing possibilities – and knowing how to move on them.”

Designed for what’s next

Dr Fuller’s teaching philosophy is student-centred, opinion-driven and activity-led. He creates a learning environment that encourages experimentation while setting clear expectations – helping students become more capable, confident and ready to lead.

For anyone looking to launch or innovate in the digital economy, Digital Entrepreneurship offers a rigorous, practical foundation – and a chance to turn “what if” into “what’s next.”