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Entrepreneurship: Venture Launch

Module description

This module is set up as an incubator and operates in the third term. It is delivered through an intensive applied approach within a dedicated space – The Skydeck in the Innovation Centre. This module centres on the pragmatic application of your entrepreneurial knowledge and skills through a live project that entails the ‘virtual’ creation of a venture project and as such it gives you the opportunity to practice entrepreneurship. The fluid nature of this module allows academic learning followed by application of new venture processes.

With the growing understanding that entrepreneurship is a ‘team sport’ you will form a team with other like-minded entrepreneurs to complete a series of sprints and projects, all the while building your own knowledge and honing your understanding of yourself within the entrepreneurial process. In developing your new venture, this module will take you from idea to launch. It is designed to move you through the phases of startup from validation, MVP (minimum viable product), to test and iterate towards market fit.

 *This module is core for the MSc Entrepreneurship and Innovation Management and it is also offered as an elective module with the following pre-requisites BEMM394 and BEMM488 (Entrepreneurship and Complete Sustainable Value Creation).

 *This module is recommended as an interdisciplinary pathway for those meeting the pre-requisites and who have completed "With Proficiency in Entrepreneurship" as part of their undergraduate studies at Exeter may be exempt from the pre-requisites. 

Module aims - intentions of the module

In an ‘incubator’ environment, the aim of this module is to ‘do’ entrepreneurship, giving you the opportunity to apply your newly developed knowledge and skills in a ‘virtual’ startup context. Through a challenge-led approach, teams of entrepreneurs will creatively solve real world problems and offer testable solutions. This is achieved through gaining a deep knowledge of the latest innovation and entrepreneurial tools and applying them in an intensive environment. This will bring theory to life and create valuable practical learning that will equip you for your post-programme entrepreneurial career.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 1. Create a virtual new venture in the form of a startup
• 2. Develop a credible and informed business case for a new venture

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 3. Identify key strategies for idea creation/opportunity recognition, evaluation and exploitation
• 4. Utilise contemporary innovation and entrepreneurship strategies and techniques

ILO: Personal and key skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 5. Generate venture ideas and creative solutions to real world problems
• 6. Collaborate, communicate, co-create, and network
• 7. Create, develop, and execute an entrepreneurial initiative

Syllabus plan

The following content will be covered during the module:

• Design thinking and sprinting
• Positive impact and circular economy
• Technology
• Measuring value and growth
• Building and pitching a business case

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

Formative assessment

Summative assessment (% of credit)

Details of summative assessment

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

• Kelley, T., & Kelley, D. (2014). Creative Confidence: Unleashing the creative potential within us all. London: William Collins

• Knapp, J., Zeratsky, J., & Kowitz, B. (2016) Sprint: How to solve big problems and test new ideas in just five days London: Bantam Press

• Ries, A (2011) The Lean Startup, Portfolio Penguin

Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources

• ELE – https://vle.exeter.ac.uk/

Indicative learning resources - Other resources

None

Key words search

Entrepreneurship, Innovation, Startup, Venture