Delivered at:: School of Marketing and Entrepreneurship

Course type:: Compulsory course

When:: 2 year, 1, 2 module

Instructor

Ahmed, Waqas

Full Syllabus Ask Question

Abstract

The course aims to form the knowledge of different roles that entrepreneurship plays in society, at the organisational level and in their own lives. The study of the course should contribute to the entrepreneurial mindset necessary for success in modern business. As a result of the discipline the student will master the tools of generating ideas, searching for entrepreneurial opportunities, analysing the market and business environment, and calculating the financial performance of a project. Students will be able to prepare a business-plan for a project.

Learning Objectives

Examine the foundations of entrepreneurship by studying theoretical frameworks, historical evolution, and contemporary practices with a focus on local resource-based and technological ventures.
Analyze entrepreneurial ecosystems by mapping key actors (institutions, finance, policy, networks) and evaluating their influence on resource and technology-based startups.
Apply opportunity identification tools to assess potential ventures in sectors such as agriculture, crafts, energy, and digital innovation.
Design business models using Lean Canvas and Business Model Canvas to create customer-centric, innovative, and sustainable ventures adapted to local and technological contexts.
Investigate market entry and growth strategies by comparing domestic and regional approaches for resource industries with diffusion and scaling strategies for technology startups.
Evaluate risks and ethical considerations by studying political, financial, environmental, cybersecurity, and cultural dilemmas, and applying decision-making frameworks for responsible entrepreneurship.
Develop financial literacy for entrepreneurship by practicing financial planning, forecasting, and exploring funding mechanisms tailored to resource-based enterprises and technology ventures.
Engage in entrepreneurial practice through case studies, simulations, and a capstone business plan project, enabling students to integrate theory with applied entrepreneurial decision-making.

Expected Learning Outcomes

know main purposes and principles of financial planning
Be able to generate ideas and select them for further implementation
Be able to choose between different legal forms of organizations depending on goals, financial needs, desired level of liability and ease of selling the share of the business or attracting new owners
The student should know the key characteristics of the entrepreneurs, understand the main stages of the entrepreneurial project development
Students' ability to design value proposition, develop a business-model, test hipothesis.
Ability to develope a fundraising strategy for the entrepreneurial project
Ability to analyze the resources necessity of the project, assess the core resources and form competitive advantage of the entrepreneurial project.
Ability to conduct a primary market analysis: customers, competitors, industry. Is able to assess the market potential
The student are able to prepare a speech of the project for potential investors and partners
Make effective and well-timed decisions about new venture financing and harvesting
- To know about the contents of an investment plan and the key elements of a financial plan, and the key elements of a performance evaluation and risk management plan.
Master analyzing new business opportunities

Course Contents

Entrepreneurial characteristics, entrepreneurship as a process
Entrepreneurial mindset and idea generation
Primary market analysis
Ideation and Opportunity Recognition
Business model development
Entrepreneurial Firm Resources
Organizational and legal forms of business
The structure and methodology of the financial plan development
Financing sources at different stages of life cycle. Capital structure of new ventures
Risk assessment of investment projects
Public speaking and presentation of the project to the investor

Assessment Elements

Elevator Pitch
Each student will deliver a 90-second elevator pitch for a resource-based or technology-driven business idea. The pitch must highlight the problem, solution, business model, and unique value proposition, tailored for potential investors or stakeholders.
Class Participation
Students will actively participate in lectures, seminars, role-plays, and case discussions. This includes preparation, contribution to discussions, collaboration in group activities, and demonstration of critical thinking.
Project
As a group of 3-4, Students will design a venture business plan for either: 1) a resource-based enterprise (e.g., sustainable agriculture, local energy, crafts), OR 2) a technology-driven enterprise (e.g., AI, IoT, FinTech, digital platforms). The plan should demonstrate opportunity analysis, business model development, risk and ethics evaluation, financial forecasting, and scaling strategies. Deliverables include a written report (4000–6000 words) and a visual presentation (10–12 minutes).

Interim Assessment

2025/2026 2nd module
0.1 * Class Participation + 0.1 * Class Participation + 0.2 * Elevator Pitch + 0.6 * Project

Bibliography

Recommended Core Bibliography

Aulet, B., Ursache, M., & Snyder, C. (2017). Disciplined Entrepreneurship Workbook. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=1487845
Colin Barrow, Paul Barrow, & Robert Brown. (2021). The Business Plan Workbook : A Step-By-Step Guide to Creating and Developing a Successful Business: Vol. Tenth edition. Kogan Page.
David J. Bland, & Alexander Osterwalder. (2020). Testing Business Ideas : A Field Guide for Rapid Experimentation. Wiley.
Pressman, A. (2019). Design Thinking : A Guide to Creative Problem Solving for Everyone. New York: Routledge. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=1923524
STOVALL, J. (2017). The Art of Presentation : Your Competitive Edge. Sound Wisdom.
Theobald, T. (2019). Develop Your Presentation Skills : How to Inspire and Inform with Clarity and Confidence (Vol. Fourth edition). London: Kogan Page. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=2175100

Recommended Additional Bibliography

Bill Aulet. (2013). Disciplined Entrepreneurship : 24 Steps to a Successful Startup. Wiley.
Blackwell, E. (1998). How to Prepare a Business Plan : Planning for Successful Start-up and Expansion: Vol. 3rd ed. Kogan Page.
Jerzy Cieślik. (2017). Entrepreneurship in Emerging Economies. Springer. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsrep&AN=edsrep.b.spr.sprbok.978.3.319.41721.9
Бурцева, К. Ю., Business performance research: analytical and control aspects : монография / К. Ю. Бурцева, Е. Б. Герасимова, И. О. Юрасова. — Москва : КноРус, 2022. — 180 с. — ISBN 978-5-406-09929-2. — URL: https://book.ru/book/944577 (дата обращения: 04.07.2025). — Текст : электронный.

Authors

Akhmed Vakas
Sidorov Dmitrii Viktorovich

Master’s Programme 'Business Development'

Contacts

Entrepreneurship