NBS8497 : Entrepreneurship and Innovation
- Offered for Year: 2026/27
- Module Leader(s): Dr Jungho Kim
- Lecturer: Professor Jonathan Sapsed
- Owning School: Newcastle University Business School
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.
| Semester 2 Credit Value: | 10 |
| ECTS Credits: | 5.0 |
| European Credit Transfer System | |
Aims
This module provides an overview of the mindsets, methods, and activities that underpin the innovation-driven entrepreneurial process and outcome. It enables you to explore the entrepreneurial journey by understanding the nature of innovation-driven ventures and developing a startup business. The focus is on applying theories and disciplines to practice in venture development that involves value creation and capture. The module adopts an experimental approach, guiding you to develop a viable business model and assess its feasibility while critically reflecting on the relevance of entrepreneurship within your career pathway. Moreover, you will consolidate your learning through self-reflection on entrepreneurial activities.
Outline Of Syllabus
• Innovation-driven ventures and entrepreneurial process
• Discovery and creation of entrepreneurial opportunity
• Market analysis and segmentation; specifying end-users
• Developing a viable business model (BM) and assessing its feasibility
• Validation of business idea and BM via prototype test and feedback
• Creating and capturing value from innovation in the ecosystem
• Fundraising and financing
• Pitching
• Reflecting on the process of innovation-driven entrepreneurship
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 11 | 2:00 | 22:00 | Present-in-Person (PiP) lectures |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 22:00 | 22:00 | N/A |
| Guided Independent Study | Directed research and reading | 1 | 21:00 | 21:00 | N/A |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Workshops | 2 | 3:00 | 6:00 | PiP interactive workshops: business development and pitch |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Fieldwork | 1 | 7:00 | 7:00 | PiP fieldtrip |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 1 | 22:00 | 22:00 | N/A |
| Total | 100:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
Lectures and workshops integrate class discussion around case studies, student exercises, and presentations of knowledge content that reinforce insights gained through active participation. Students are expected to complete all assigned readings, attend class and fully engage in discussions and hands-on projects. The field trip provides valuable opportunities to engage in practical applications and to network with diverse stakeholders. Such experiential learning, facilitated by the staff, encourages critical thinking, strengthens oral and interpersonal communication skills, and helps to distil the key learning points. Together, these applied methods ensure that students master the course’s main concepts and can translate theory into practical contexts.
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Exams
| Description | Length | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oral Presentation | 0 | 2 | M | 40 | Group (team) presentation of startup proposal: Both module leader assessment and peer assessment will be applied to group work. |
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Essay | 2 | M | 60 | Individual Essay (Reflective learning essay) |
Formative Assessments
Formative Assessment is an assessment which develops your skills in being assessed, allows for you to receive feedback, and prepares you for being assessed. However, it does not count to your final mark.
| Description | Semester | When Set | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portfolio | 2 | M | Formative components taken up during workshops by students independently, in groups and supervised by the teaching team staff |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
Workshops, readings and class discussions/activities are designed to help students develop understanding and analytical skills vital to completing the assessment.
The group assignment (a startup pitch) evaluates students' ability to develop and present a business idea’s value proposition and business model to an audience. The reflective individual essay assesses students' capacity to critically analyse how well they have developed their understanding of the relevant topic and to enhance their entrepreneurial capabilities through an experiential learning experience, reflecting on the process through the lens of the entrepreneurship discipline.
Formative feedback is integrated throughout the module, with iterative discussion and guidance designed to support students in refining their ideas, business designs and their ability to communicate their venture effectively. Feedback is provided by internal academic staff and external experts, including guest entrepreneurs and business professionals, ensuring both academic rigour and real-world relevance.
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- NBS8497's Timetable