Module: Innovation & Entrepreneurship

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Innovation & Entrepreneurship
Module Code	ENI1008 (ITS: EF574)
Faculty	DCU Business School	School	DCU Business School
NFQ level	9	Credit Rating	5

Description

The purpose of this module is to introduce students to the new venture creation process and to business planning in the context of new ventures. The module explores innovations as they occur through new venture creation. The module examines models of the new venture creation process and the growth of new ventures. This requires an understanding of how entrepreneurs identify or discover opportunities; how they amass the resources needed to start a new business; and how they manage in the context of a new or growing business. The module is delivered through lectures. Students will discuss case studies of entrepreneurs, new businesses and high growth businesses during lectures. Students are required to identify a new business opportunity and to prepare a 'business pitch' for the new venture opportunity.

Learning Outcomes

1. Discuss the origins and growth of new ventures.
2. Explain the issues to be considered in managing a new business opportunity.
3. Identify a new business opportunity.
4. Assess the commercial feasibility of a new business opportunity.
5. Develop a comprehensive business pitch for a new business opportunity.
6. Argue in favour of a new business opportunity.

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Lecture	24	Lecture
Assignment Completion	26	Pitch
Assignment Completion	35	Essay
Independent Study	20	Case Study Preparation
Independent Study	20	Readings - assigned
Total Workload: 125

Section Breakdown
CRN	10084	Part of Term	Semester 1
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Peter Robbins	Module Teacher

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Practical/skills evaluation	Essay incorporating case analysis	67%	Every Week
Presentation	Business Opportunity Pitch	33%	Week 10

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

New business opportunities
Exploring the sources of new venture opportunities and how entrepreneurs discover and create new opportunities.

Entrepreneurs
How an entrepreneurs traits and characteristics shape the new firm. Why start a business?

The new venture creation process
The new venture creation process. Challenges in starting a new business. Exploring how entrepreneurs overcome the challeneges in starting new firms.

Business plans, the Business Model Canvas, Lean start-Ups
The role and structure of business plans.

Fianancing new ventures
The financing of ideas and the financing of new businesses. Valuing new businesses. Preparing financial projections.

Venture capital
Venture capital as source of funding

High growth new firms
The internal and external determinants of growth.

Entrepreneurship policy
Entrepreneurship in Ireland

Indicative Reading List

Books:
None

Articles:
None

Other Resources

1: Website, Government Website for New Firms,
416722: 1, Website, Enterprise Ireland,
www.enterprise-ireland.com: 416723, 1, Website, City and County Enterprise Boards
www.enterpriseboards.ie: