Unit information: HiTec Enterprise in 2008/09

Unit name	HiTec Enterprise
Unit code	COMS12300
Credit points	20
Level of study	C/4
Teaching block(s)	Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12)
Unit director	Dr. Campbell
Open unit status	Not open
Pre-requisites	None
Co-requisites	None
School/department	Department of Computer Science
Faculty	Faculty of Engineering

Description including Unit Aims

The unit will introduce you to both the concept of the successful high-technology start up and the fast growth industry background. The unit comprises: software to meet market needs; idea generation; basics of business start up process; preparation of an idea for a software business.

Aims:

• Provide a basic business overview that new first year students can build upon in the coming university years

• Provide the students with some experience of working in teams on a business project.

• Develop their public speaking skills; help them to be more readily able to communicate their ideas.

• Supply some reference material that can be used in future years.

Intended Learning Outcomes

The students should leave the course with:

• Knowledge of the characteristics of successful entrepreneurs and entrepreneurial teams

• An understanding of the various key components of a business

• An overview of the forms of hi tech venture, manufacture, technology licensing and services.

• An understanding of marketing, market projections, R&D strategies, business plans, financing, investors and exits

• An understanding of IP value and its role

• An understanding of the process of assessing hi tech ventures

• Experience of going through the whole process of developing an idea through to a complete business plan

Teaching Information

The course consists of a series of structured modules which build towards the presentation of a team based business plan project to a panel of investors. The modules cover creativity, innovation techniques, R&D product strategy, IP, Market research & segmentation, market selection & promotion, Writing business plans, Financials (Basic & Advanced), investors & business valuation, elevator pitching and presentation skills.

A significant amount of time is spent in practical exercises exploring many aspects of business creation, planning, and necessary skills to succeed in business.

Practical exercises encompass analysis of successful companies, past winners of the business plan competition, executive summaries as well as full business plans, and practical skills development exercises.

Assessment Information

Students form into business teams of 5 or 6 in the first week and must conceive a new business idea during the early lessons and develop a business plan and investment proposition for the first assessment panel at the course mid point. This assessment awards up to 25% of the course mark. The assessment is a learning point at which the teams can dispose of the idea and start work on a new more compelling business proposition for the final assessment which awards the remaining course mark of 75%. At this point team changes are allowed and teams can remove (fire) a non productive member of the team. These “unemployed” members must then persuade another team to take them on or they need to form a new team from other free members.

The assessment panel is judging on four dimensions at each stage;

1. Credibility, feasibility and Novelty of the business idea
2. Technical novelty, IP protection, Computer Science content
3. Quality of the written business plan (10-15 pages in part 1, 15-20 pages in Part2)
4. Panel presentation by the team

Reading and References

• The Google story, David A. Vise 0-330-44005-5

• Crossing the chasm, Geoffrey A Moore 0-06-662002-3

• The Tipping Point, Malcolm Gladwell 0-349-11346-7

• The Definitive Business plan, Financial Times,Richard Stutely 0-273-71096-6

• Smarter ventures a survivors guide, Ms Katharine Campbell 0-273-65403-9

• The Small Business guide to starting your own business, Daily Telegraph 1-4050-0677-3 1-4050-0677-3