Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2023-2024 (archived)

Module BUSI3422: New Venture Creation Project

Department: Management and Marketing

BUSI3422: New Venture Creation Project

Type Tied Level 3 Credits 40 Availability Available in 2023/24 Module Cap None. Location Durham
Tied to N201
Tied to N203
Tied to N207

Prerequisites

  • • BUSI1211 Strategy in Practice BUSI2311 Business Research Methods and Statistics

Corequisites

  • None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • • BUSI3331: New Venture Creation • BUSI3232: Dissertation • BUSI3412: Strategising for Sustainable Futures • BUSI3343: Innovation Accelerator • BUSI3332: Advanced Topics in Critical Orgainsational Studies

Aims

  • The module aim is to:
  • Introduce students to entrepreneurship and new venture creation.
  • Expose students to the role of the entrepreneur in value creation.
  • Equip students with the knowledge and skills to identify, evaluate, exploit, and sell novel opportunities.
  • Develop students’ entrepreneurial mindset and their entrepreneurial selling abilities.

Content

  • Indicative Content:
  • Areas of application – theoretical and practical knowledge of entrepreneurship and new venture creation.
  • This will include: 
  • The identification, evaluation, and exploitation of opportunities. 
  • The importance of value creation in the entrepreneurial process. 
  • The design and analysis of a new venture. 
  • Sales and selling considerations, including tools and techniques to ensure successful selling.
  • Identifying, collecting, analysing, interpreting, and reporting data.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • A comprehensive understanding of the theoretical and practical aspects of entrepreneurship and new venture creation. 
  • Extended knowledge of identifying, planning, developing, and communicating a new venture.
  • Advanced competencies of selecting and utilising selling tools and techniques to ensure successful opportunity exploitation
Subject-specific Skills:
  • To have acquired skills of independent research and project management. 
  • To be able to demonstrate an ability to identify, collect, analyse, interpret, and present data in a clear and appropriate manner. 
  • To be able to demonstrate an ability to present arguments and conclusions in an extended and coherent form. 
  • To develop, organise, and articulate complex topics in written and oral formats.
  • Be able to critically select, analyse, and apply relevant research, theories, and tools related to entrepreneurship and apply these to new venture creation practice.
Key Skills:
  • Written and oral communication - through summative assessment. 
  • Planning, organisation and working to deadlines. 
  • Problem solving and critical analysis - e.g., by solving a ‘market pain,’ designing a solution to solve this ‘market pain,’ and applying analytical and critical reflection skills. 
  • Initiative by gaining access to relevant sources. 
  • Computer literacy - by production of the dissertation in word processed form, accessing literature and other sources via electronic means, relevant use of computer-based research and data analysis methods.

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

  • This is a tutorial-based module, supported by online learning materials and plenary lectures. More specifically, learning is facilitated by small group tutorials framed around 1) the entrepreneurial process – opportunity identification, opportunity evaluation, and opportunity exploitation; and 2) entrepreneurial selling.
  • Formative assessment is in two forms: evaluation of, and feedback on, work/discussions undertaken prior to and during the tutorials; and through feedback on the preparation of the new venture portfolio.
  • Summative assessment is in three parts: an entrepreneurial selling analysis; a new venture creation portfolio; and a 15-minute investor-style start-up pitch.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
Lectures 2 Start and end of term 1 1 hour 2
Online learning activities 8 Weekly in term 1 1 hour 8
Tutorials 13 Weekly in T1 (8) and Fortnightly in T2 (5) 1 hour 13
New Venture Pitch 1 End of term 2 6 hours 6
Preparation, reading and independent research 371
Total 400

Summative Assessment

Component: Individual Assignment Component Weighting: 25%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Entrepreneurial Selling Analysis 2500 100%
Component: Individual Assignment Component Weighting: 65%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
New Venture Creation Portfolio 7500 100%
Component: Individual Assignment Component Weighting: 10%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Start-up Investor Pitch 15 minutes 100% Video presentation of 15-minutes

Formative Assessment:

Continuous tutorial preparation and feedback throughout Terms One and Two.


Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University