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Executive Master Degree Program in Data-driven Innovation and Entrepreneurship

Headerssite2025 Level3

Executive Master Degree Program in Data-driven
Innovation and Entrepreneurship

The digital transformation of business and the growing importance of data as a driver of innovation make it essential to train professionals capable of creating, leading, and implementing evidence-based innovation initiatives.

The Executive Master's in Data-Driven Innovation and Entrepreneurship is designed to prepare leaders, managers, and entrepreneurs to develop innovative solutions, explore new business opportunities, and transform data and artificial intelligence into a competitive advantage.

This executive program is aligned with current trends in technological innovation, design thinking, analytics, digital entrepreneurship, value creation, and the development of new business models, offering training that combines a strong practical component, with real case studies and applied projects, and a solid strategic framework.

NOVA IMS's connection to the market and the innovation ecosystem ensures a dynamic learning environment, allowing the application of innovation methodologies and data-driven solutions to real business challenges.

Applications will be accepted from January 2026.

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    Length

    2 semester

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    ECTS Credits

    60 ECTS

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    Start Date

    September 2026

Who is it for? image

Who is it for?

This course is aimed at senior executives, managers, decision-makers, and professionals from public and private institutions who want to understand and apply the potential of data, advanced analytics, and artificial intelligence in defining, developing, and implementing innovation strategies and new business models.

It is also suitable for entrepreneurs, professionals responsible for digital transformation, and those who wish to update or deepen their skills in business analytics, business modeling, applied creativity, development of innovative solutions, and leadership of data-driven projects, strengthening their ability to make evidence-based decisions, identify market opportunities, and lead teams in a competitive and rapidly evolving environment.

Goals

The course aims to train specialists capable of:

  • Understanding the fundamental principles of technological innovation and entrepreneurship, including market concepts, feasibility, and product development;

  • Analyzing emerging technology trends to identify innovation opportunities;

  • Developing and validating business models using tools such as the Business Model Canvas, Value Creation Wheel, and Lean Startup;

  • Applying design thinking methodologies to solve complex problems and develop creative solutions;

  • Building prototypes of innovative products or services and conduct testing with potential users;

  • Developing go-to-market and growth strategies for tech startups;

  • Demonstrating communication and negotiation skills to pitch innovative ideas to investors and stakeholders;

  • Collaborating in interdisciplinary teams to co-create innovative solutions.

Program Overview

The Executive Master's in Data-Driven Innovation and Entrepreneurship prepares professionals to lead innovation processes, value creation, and new business development based on data, science, and artificial intelligence. In an increasingly competitive, digital, and information-driven business environment, this program trains leaders capable of transforming analytical insights into opportunities, strategic decisions, and projects with a real impact on organizations and the entrepreneurial ecosystem.

With a practical, interdisciplinary, and highly applied approach, the program combines:

  • Design thinking techniques, innovation, and value creation models to transform ideas into concrete solutions relevant to the market.
  • Business analytics tools and data-driven methodologies, essential for informing strategic decisions and identifying growth opportunities.
  • Development and validation of business models, including Business Model Canvas, Value Creation Wheel, and Lean Startup, focused on scalability and sustainability.
  • Applied knowledge in financing, developing, and managing startups and innovation projects, with a focus on growth and internationalization strategies.
  • Leadership, communication, negotiation, and change management skills, fundamental for leading teams and business transformation processes.

Participants work on real cases, collaborative projects, and organizational challenges, benefiting from NOVA IMS's strong connection to innovation, companies, and the entrepreneurial ecosystem, as well as from state-of-the-art methodologies, environments, and tools.

This program is not just about learning concepts: it is about transforming data into opportunities, ideas into businesses, knowledge into impact, and innovation into sustainable value.

Teaching Language Portuguese. In case there are any foreign students or teachers, the classes will be taught in English.

Why choose this program

What Makes This Program Unique

Combining academic excellence with a strong practical focus, the Executive Master's in Data-Driven Innovation and Entrepreneurship offers training designed to prepare leaders and entrepreneurs capable of transforming data into strategic decisions, innovation into value, and ideas into sustainable businesses.

In a context of digital transformation, artificial intelligence, and disruptive business models, the program develops skills to explore data-driven opportunities, design and validate innovative business models, and lead organizational change processes.

With an applied and interdisciplinary approach, it integrates design thinking, business analytics, value creation, Lean Startup, startup financing and growth, leadership, and internationalization. Participants work on real cases and concrete projects, bringing learning closer to the challenges faced by companies and the entrepreneurial ecosystem.

NOVA IMS's connection to the market and innovation ensures contact with emerging trends, advanced tools, and an experienced faculty, ensuring scientific rigor, practical relevance, and immediate applicability of knowledge.

In a collaborative and multidisciplinary environment, the program promotes critical thinking, strategic vision, creativity, implementation skills, and qualified networking with professionals from multiple sectors.

Lasting two semesters (60 ECTS) and offering a hybrid format, it provides flexibility for demanding professionals, allowing them to develop advanced skills in an area that is crucial for competitiveness and business leadership.

This program is also a unique opportunity to build qualified networking with professionals from various sectors, promoting interaction, experience sharing, and connection between participants and teachers. Included in the tuition fee are parking, coffee breaks, lunches/dinners, moments designed to stimulate networking and collaboration throughout the learning journey.

Benefits for Your Development

  • Understand and master principles of technological innovation, entrepreneurship, and data-driven value creation.
  • Develop and validate business models using reference frameworks and data-driven methodologies.
  • Build and test prototypes of innovative products and services based on analytical insights and market feedback.
  • Strengthen your communication, negotiation, and project presentation skills to stakeholders and investors.
  • Apply design thinking and strategic analysis to solve complex problems and identify opportunities for innovation.
  • Develop leadership, teamwork, and innovation and transformation project management skills.

Impact on Your Organization

  • Strengthen the organization's ability to create, implement, and scale data-driven innovation initiatives.
  • Drive a corporate culture focused on evidence, experimentation, continuous improvement, and informed decision-making.
  • Empower teams to use analytical tools, artificial intelligence, prototyping, and innovation methodologies strategically.
  • Support the development of new products, services, and business models, contributing to growth, competitiveness, and differentiation in the market.
  • Promote sustainable innovation, real value creation, and strategic impact on organizational performance.

Study plan

The study plan corresponds to 60 ECTS, in a total of 8 course units:

Mandatory course units

  • Brand Building in the Digital Age
  • Design Thinking for Data Driven Innovation
  • Final Work Project
  • Funding New Ventures and Growth Strategies
  • Innovation and Value Creation Wheel
  • Leadership, Change and Impact
  • Leading Entrepreneurial Teams and Organizations
  • New Horizons
  • Strategic Management and International Expansion
Course Unit
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Faculty

Admissions and fees

Applications are evaluated by the Admissions' Jury Panel of NOVA IMS, which seeks candidates with relevant professional experience, leadership skills, and a strong motivation to learn and apply advanced knowledge. This process ensures that each class is composed of professionals capable of contributing to a dynamic and collaborative learning environment.

Applications phase

The application phase will take place in January 2026.

Entry Requirements

To enter this program, applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Hold a bachelor's degree;
• Be proficient in English;
• Have at least 5 years of professional experience relevant to the course or related areas.

Application Fee

The fee of the application is €51. The application can only be considered after the payment of the application fee, within the stipulated period, non-refundable in case of withdrawal or non-admission in the program.

Registration Fee

After being admitted to the program and upon confirmation of enrollment, the applicant must make a payment of a pre-registration fee (around one week after the admission result announcement), deductible in this postgraduate program's tuition fee, non-refundable in case of withdrawal, with the following value:

  • €1.250 for applicants with a nationality from a European Union member country;
  • €2.500 for applicants of other nationalities, unless their registration fee is provided by an official entity.

Upon registration, students should make the following payments:

  • €35 - for enrollment fee (the value is updated annually);
  • €1.40 - for annual school insurance (the value is updated annually).

Tuition Fee

The tuition fee of this Executive Master is:

  • € 12.000, for applicants with a nationality from a European Union member country;
  • € 15.000, for applicants of other nationalities.

Included in the tuition fee: parking, coffee break, lunch/dinner.

Tuition fee payment dates

Tuition fees may be paid in full or in six installments, with the following payment dates:

Full payment September 25th to 30th, 2026.

Payment in six installments:

  • September 25 to 30, 2026 (corresponding to 25% of the tuition fee);
  • November 25 to 30, 2026 (corresponding to 15% of the tuition fee);
  • January 25 to 31, 2027 (corresponding to 15% of the tuition fee);
  • March 25 to 31, 2027 (corresponding to 15% of the tuition fee);
  • From May 25 to 31, 2027 (corresponding to 15% of the tuition fee);
  • From July 25 to 31, 2027 (corresponding to 15% of the tuition fee).

Discounts

  • Financial discount: students who choose to pay the tuition fee in a single payment have a 2,5% discount on the payable amount;
  • NOVA IMS’ alumni who have completed a bachelor's, postgraduate, master's, or doctoral degree at NOVA IMS have a 20% discount on tuition fee, cumulative with the financial discount;
  • Companies that finance the program to at least 2 employees, in the same academic year, have a 10% discount on the tuition fee. This discount is not cumulative with other discounts;
  • Companies that finance the program to 3 or more employees, in the same academic year, have a 20% discount on the tuition fee. This discount is not cumulative with other discounts.

Applications and Contacts

Applications:

Applications will be accepted from January 2026.

If you would like more information about this course, please contact:

Marketing & Admissions Department:

Renata Barateiro

Marketing and Admissions Coordinator – Executive Education

📞 +351 213 828 619

✉️ executive@novaims.unl.pt

FAQ

Do you have a question? Explore the most frequently asked questions and find the answer here! If you still have unanswered questions, please contact us!

  • Applications

    When can I apply?

    It is only possible to submit the application during its applications phase. However, you can fill the application form at any time, submitting it when the applications phase starts.

    How can I apply?

    The applications are submitted online, in NOVA IMS’ Applications Portal.

    To submit their application, the applicants must register in the Portal, fill the form, upload your Curriculum Vitae, choose the program and pay the application fee in the Portal. The application process is the same for all the applicants, national or international.

    Which documents are required?

    The only mandatory document during the application process is the Curriculum Vitae (in .doc or .pdf format). The applicant can upload other documents such as diploma or other certificate of their qualifications.

    How do I convert a file to .PDF?

    Here is a list of websites where you can convert files to the pdf format, as a reference:

    Is there an application fee?

    The application fee is €51 in the academic year 2026-2027. The payment of the application fee will be made during the application process in the Applications’ Portal, through bank transfer/ATM reference, MBWay, PayPal or Visa. The application will only be considered successfully submitted after the payment of the application fee, within the stipulated time. It’s non-refundable in case of withdrawal or non-admission in the program.

    Can I apply to more than one program?

    You can apply to a maximum of 2 programs per application phase, by paying the application fee for each program, that is, the application to 1 program equals the payment of 1 application fee, the application to 2 programs equals the payment of 2 application fees.

    In the application form, a Tax Identification Number is requested. What is Tax Identification Number? I don’t have one, what should I put in that blank field?

    In Portugal, the Tax Identification Number is required to identify a taxable entity or person, in tax declarations or financial transactions. If you don’t have a Tax ID Number or similar, please put “999999999” in that field of the application form.

    What should I write in the field: “Goals/motivation to apply to this program”?

    In this field, please mention:

    • In which way your background (academic and professional) fits the program;
    • What are your short-term professional goals;
    • What are your expectations with the attendance of this program.

  • Admission

    How does the selection process work?

    The selection process is based on the analysis of the academic and professional curriculum. The members of the Admissions’ Jury Panel may decide to hold an interview with all or some candidates – face-to-face or videoconference).

    In case I am contacted for an interview, can it be held at distance?

    Yes, the interview can be held at distance, preferably via Teams.

    When will I know the result of the application?

    The result of the application will be known, through email, in the date to be announced in the confirmation of submitted application email and/or by the Admissions’ Jury/Programs Manager.

    I was admitted in the program. What’s the next step?

    In case of admission, the applicant must make the payment of the pre-registration fee (around 1 week after the result announcement), until its deadline, in NOVA IMS’ Applications Portal and upload the diploma or other certificate of his latest qualification (example: Bachelor’s degree, Master’s degree or PhD).

    Can I attend more than one program by academic year?

    Yes, you may attend two programs per school year, although it’s not recommended. Please pay attention to the fact that there may be overlap of the Mandatory Course Units of each program, as well as the overlap of the exams.

    I was admitted in two programs, but I only intend to attend one. What should I do?

    In case of admission to two programs, the candidate will have to choose, in the Application Portal, the program in which they intend to attend. After choosing the desired program and paying the pre-registration fee, you must select the option "Withdrawal" in the 2nd program in which you do not intend to attend. Thus, your vacancy is available to a candidate on the Waiting List.

    I'm on the Waiting List. Can I still be admitted?

    Since it is possible for candidates to apply for two programs per application phase, there will be cases where the same candidate has been admitted to both programs, but intends to join only one. In these cases and if the limit number of vacancies is not completed, the remaining vacancy will be assigned to a candidate on the Waiting List.

    I intend the invoice for the payment of the application / pre-registration fees.

    The Invoice-Receipt will be available in this Applications’ Portal up to 2 business days after the payment, in the tab "Billing/Treasury".

    I was admitted in the program, but I need visa. What should I do?

    NOVA IMS can issue a document that proves admission in the program, that will be sent to the student and the Embassy. The document will only be issued or provided after the payment of the pre-registration fee. Regardless of issuance the document, the student must contact the Portuguese Embassy or Consulate in their country to get more information.

  • Other Informations

    Is this program taught in Portuguese or English?

    Teaching Language Portuguese. In case there are any foreign students or teachers, the classes will be taught in English.

    Is it possible to park on campus?

    The students can park their vehicles on campus, if they have the access card. There are several parking areas on campus and near to NOVA IMS. 

Regulations and Accreditations

  • A3ES
  • DGES – Registration number R/A-CR 79/2025 on 04-04-2025.

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