Course outline Code: ENT311 Title: New Venture Establishment Faculty of Arts, Business and Law School of Business Teaching Session: Semester 1 Year: 2018 Course Coordinator: Dr Retha de Villiers Scheepers Office: K1.08 Telephone: +61 7 5430 1267 E-mail: MScheepe@usc.edu.au Consultation Times: As advised on Blackboard 1. What is this course about? 1.1 Course description In this course you will develop, collaborate and work on a venture idea and be mentored by experienced entrepreneurs. You will be inspired by the stories of student entrepreneurs, identify an opportunity, develop a business concept, discover customer needs and validate it. We use the lean startup framework and make it happen during Startup Weekend. Startup Weekends are experiential entrepreneurship events where startup enthusiasts form teams and launch startups within 54-hours. Your experiences, start-up story and business planning (final report) will enable you to create your own future. 1.2 Course content Entrepreneurship, start-ups and new ventures Entrepreneurship the lean startup way Opportunities, creativity and concept development Preparing and perfecting your pitch Customer discovery and validation The Business Model Canvas Decisions related to intellectual property New Venture team and need for multi-disciplinary skills Assessing the financial potential of your startup The power of storytelling for startups Business Planning 2. Unit value 12 units
Page 2 3. How does this course contribute to my learning? Specific Learning Outcomes Assessment Tasks Qualities On successful completion of this course you should be able to: You will be assessed on the learning outcome in task/s: Completing these tasks successfully will contribute to you becoming: Identify the relevant tasks related to the formation of a successful venture. Analyse effective pathways for venture development. Apply and execute processes for the formation of a venture. Confidently establish the groundwork for a sustainable venture. 1 and 3 Creative and critical thinkers. 1 and 3 Knowledgeable. 2 and 3 Engaged. 1, 2 and 3 Empowered. 4. Am I eligible to enrol in this course? Refer to the Coursework Programs and Awards - Academic Policy for definitions of pre-requisites, corequisites and anti-requisites 4.1 Enrolment restrictions Instructor consent required 4.2 Pre-requisites 4.3 Co-requisites 4.4 Anti-requisites 4.5 Specific assumed prior knowledge and skills 5. How am I going to be assessed? 5.1 Grading scale Standard High Distinction (HD), Distinction (DN), Credit (CR), Pass (PS), Fail (FL)
5.2 Assessment tasks Page 3 Task No. Assessment Tasks 1 Concept presentation and Proposal 2 Photo Essay Startup Experience Reflection 3 Short Business Plan and 2 minute Marketing Video Individual or Group Weighting % What is the duration / length? Individual 20% 5 minute presentation 1000 word Concept Proposal Individual 40% 8 images and 1000 words Individual or Group When should I submit? Week 4 in class presentation Week 5 - Proposal, Tuesday, 5:00pm AEST Week 9, Friday, 5:00pm AEST 40% 2500 words Week 13, Friday, 5:00pm AEST 100% Where should I submit it? SafeAssign SafeAssign SafeAssign Assessment Task 1: Concept Presentation and Proposal Goal: The purpose of this task is to articulate your venture concept and incorporate feedback to develop a concept proposal. Product: Concept Presentation (5 minutes) Written Proposal of 1000 words Format: This is an individual assessment. The concept presentation should be delivered in class, while the concept proposal should be prepared as a word document. Details are provided in class and on the course Blackboard site. Criteria The concept presentation and proposal will be assessed on the following criteria: Ability to succinctly outline a concept Quality of presentation (both written and oral) Demonstrated understanding of target market and potential viability Demonstrated ability to respond to feedback Generic skill assessed Skill assessment level Organisation Problem solving
Page 4 Assessment Task 2: Photo Essay Start-up Experience Reflection Goal: The purpose of this task is to reflect on your start-up experience by discussing key learnings related to personal realisations and the lean start up process. Product: Photo essay of minimum 8 images and captions of 1000 words. Format: This is an individual assessment. The photo essay can be prepared in a presentation, word document or online blog. An example will be provided in class and on the course Blackboard site. Criteria The photo essay will be assessed on the following criteria: use of professional presentation and convincing images and captions personal reflections and key learnings reflections related to the lean start-up process (venture concept, the venture team, business model, and/or customer validation) recommendations for next steps Generic skill assessed Skill assessment level Problem solving Communication Assessment Task 3: Short Business Plan and 2 Minute Marketing Video Goal: The purpose of this task is to compile a short business plan aligned to the goals of your chosen startup and communicating the startup story. Product: Business Plan of 2 000 words and short marketing video, drawing on the work done over Startup Weekend. Format: You can choose to attempt this task as an individual or in a group, but need to register this with your course coordinator. The business plan should be prepared as a word document and link to the video uploaded through SafeAssign. Details are given in class and on the course Blackboard site. Criteria The business plan will be assessed on the following criteria: use of professional presentation style and business plan writing conventions Demonstrated insight into the value proposition and target market s neds Proven articulation of the strength of the venture team and financial model Ability to articulate strategies for advancing the venture The marketing video will be assessed on the following criteria: Evidence of a cohesive and clear storyline Demonstrated insight into target customers needs Demonstrated value proposition Evidence of authenticity in story, team and venture strength. Generic skill assessed Skill assessment level Communication Problem solving 5.3 Additional assessment requirements Plagiarism In order to minimise incidents of plagiarism and collusion, this course may require that some of its assessment tasks, when submitted to Blackboard, are electronically checked through SafeAssign. This software allows for text comparisons to be made between your submitted assessment item and all other work that SafeAssign has access to.
Page 5 Eligibility for Supplementary Assessment Your eligibility for supplementary assessment in a course is dependent of the following conditions applying: a) The final mark is in the percentage range 47% to 49.4% b) The course is graded using the Standard Grading scale c) You have not failed an assessment task in the course due to academic misconduct 5.4 Submission penalties Late submission of assessment tasks will be penalised at the following maximum rate: 5% (of the assessment task s identified value) per day for the first two days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task. 10% (of the assessment task s identified value) for the third day 20% (of the assessment task s identified value) for the fourth day and subsequent days up to and including seven days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task. A result of zero is awarded for an assessment task submitted after seven days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task. Weekdays and weekends are included in the calculation of days late. To request an extension you must contact your course coordinator to negotiate an outcome. 6. How is the course offered? 6.1 Directed study hours On campus workshop: 3 hours per week 6.2 Teaching semester/session(s) offered Semester 1 6.3 Course activities Teaching What key concepts/content will I Week / learn? Module 1 Introduction to Startup LaunchLab and Startup Weekend Introduction to entrepreneurship Entrepreneurship the lean startup way 2 Entrepreneurial Stories: Your views Opportunities, Business Planning and entrepreneurship Entrepreneurship team challenge What activities will I engage in to learn the concepts/content? Directed Study Independent Study Activities Activities 3 hour workshop Text A: Ch 1 Online videos and examples 3 hour workshop Cases and Reflection Questions Blackboard Readings 3 Opportunities and concept development 4 Concept Pitch Presentations Feedback: Customer and market development Market reaction, measuring and testing assumptions 3 hour idea development workshop 3 hour presentations and feedback Blackboard notes What makes a good idea? Bb Lean Startup Notes The value of surprises - cases
5 Friday, 30 th March Good Friday Public Holiday Page 6 The Business Model Canvas a tool for action Simple Spreadsheets to determine the cost of your startup 3 hour workshop Online Bb BMC notes Financial model examples Mid Semester Break 6 Customer Discovery: Get out of the Building 3 hour workshop Blackboard videos and notes 7 New venture team and Networking Off-campus evening Blackboard Blog post event 8 Lean Startup and Startup Weekend 3 hour workshop Online notes and video Wednesday, 25 th April ANZAC Day Public Holiday 9 Start-up weekend: Get out of the building! The relevance of intellectual property. 54 hour weekend Startup Weekend resources and emails 10 Monday, 7 st May Labour Day Public Holiday Reflections: Personal, Team and Venture 11 Storytelling for startups: Video Storyboard Review the business model canvas to a business plan. 12 Review drafts of business plans and videos 13 The way forward Sharing videos and plans Online Study Period Central Examination Period End of Semester Break Please note that the course activities may be subject to variation. 3 hour workshop Blackboard Notes 3 hour workshop Blackboard Notes Business planning template 3 hour workshop 7. What resources do I need to undertake this course? 7.1 Prescribed text(s) Please note that you need to have regular access to the resource(s) listed below: Author Year Title Publisher Text A: Blank, S. & Dorf, B. 2012 The Startup Owner s Manual K&S Ranch, Inc. Publishers 7.2 Required and recommended readings Lists of required and recommended readings may be found for this course on its Blackboard site. These materials/readings will assist you in preparing for tutorials and assignments, and will provide further information regarding particular aspects of your course.
Page 7 7.3 Specific requirements Students must be able to participate in Startup Weekend, therefore needs to meet with the Course Coordinator. 7.4 Risk management Health and safety risks have been assessed as low. It is your responsibility to research and understand risks of specific courses and to review the USC s health and safety principles by viewing the online induction training for students. 8. How can I obtain help with my studies? In the first instance you should contact your tutor, then the Course Coordinator. Additional assistance is provided to all students through Peer Advisors and Academic Skills Advisors. You can drop in or book an appointment. To book: Tel: +61 7 5430 2890 or Email: studentcentral@usc.edu.au 9. Links to relevant University policies and procedures For more information on Academic Learning & Teaching categories including: Assessment: Courses and Coursework Programs Review of Assessment and Final Grades Supplementary Assessment Administration of Central Examinations Deferred Examinations Student Academic Misconduct Students with a Disability http://www.usc.edu.au/university/governance-and-executive/policies-and-procedures#academic-learningand-teaching 10. General enquiries In person: USC Sunshine Coast - Student Central, Ground Floor, Building C, 90 Sippy Downs Drive, Sippy Downs USC SouthBank - Student Central, Building A4 (SW1), 52 Merivale Street, South Brisbane USC Gympie - Student Central, 71 Cartwright Road, Gympie USC Fraser Coast - Student Central, Student Central, Building A, 161 Old Maryborough Rd, Hervey Bay USC Caboolture - Student Central, Level 1 Building J, Cnr Manley and Tallon Street, Caboolture Tel: +61 7 5430 2890 Email: studentcentral@usc.edu.au