Business Start-up Project - 2024 entry

This innovative and unique module will see selected students truly learning by doing as they start-up their own businesses based on the ideas developed over the third year and commissioned by the ‘Boyden Enterprise Board’. Housed in the Innovation Centre, students will be part of a dynamic learning environment in offices alongside high-technology businesses undertaking research and development. Each student will be assigned a Mentor from industry in addition to an Academic Tutor from the Engineering Department. Students will form a collaborative and co-operative peer network and they will be supported throughout by the Innovation Centre team as well as EMPS staff.

There will be no formal teaching on this module as it is entirely student-led. Assessment will be via the creation and maintenance of a Professional Development Portfolio containing business plans, designs, market research and marketing plans, finance and tax documents pertaining to their business administration, and several critically reflective accounts of their entrepreneurship at key stages across the year. Successful completion of the module is not tied to the success of the business, instead it is based on the engagement and critical reflection of the student, whatever the outcome. The module runs across all terms of Year 4, from September to May.

ILO  #1: Develop and explore technology innovation suitable for commercialisation.
Develop the product/service by using engineering specific methods and tools

ILO #2: Investigate the market, competition and customers' needs. Produce the financial forecase of the proposed venture. Plan the organisational strategy.

ILO #3  Critically reflect on the entrepreneurial journey.

ILO #4: Produce and present the complete set of documents required for funding a technology venture.

*The report must include: business plan, detailed designs, market research and marketing plans, finance and tax documents pertaining to their business administration, and a critically reflective account of the entrepreneurship journey at key stages across the year

Reassessment will be by resubmission of the Professional Development Portfolio only. For deferred candidates, the mark will be uncapped. For referred candidates, the mark will be capped at 50%.

Reading list for this module: