Module Details

Module Code: MGMT8020
Title: Technology Entrepreneurship
Long Title: Technology Entrepreneurship
NFQ Level: Advanced
Valid From: Semester 1 - 2016/17 ( September 2016 )
Duration: 1 Semester
Credits: 5
Field of Study: 3450 - Business & Management
Module Delivered in: 3 programme(s)
Module Description: This module will provide learners from technology based programmes with the tools to maximise the probability of success for High Technology start up companies. The module will provide the needed business know how, to identify business opportunities, evaluate the commercial viability of a venture and the ability to clearly identify the legal issues associated with a new venture. Students are taught the skills and knowledge of entrepreneurship and get to practice the entrepreneurial process. The module will also afford students the opportunity to interact with other students on multidisciplinary teams where possible.
 
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module the learner will be able to:
# Learning Outcome Description
LO1 Examine the role and importance of technology entrepreneurship in society.
LO2 Identify the key issues involved in enterprise creation and apply criteria to identify and evaluate business opportunities.
LO3 Prepare a feasibility study plan.
LO4 Identify value in Intellectual Property and evaluate effective intellectual property rights solutions for technology based business proposals.
LO5 Prepare financial projections linked to feasibility study plans.
Dependencies
Module Recommendations

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is strongly recommended before enrolment in this module. You may enrol in this module if you have not acquired the recommended learning but you will have considerable difficulty in passing (i.e. achieving the learning outcomes of) the module. While the prior learning is expressed as named MTU module(s) it also allows for learning (in another module or modules) which is equivalent to the learning specified in the named module(s).
None
Incompatible Modules
These are modules which have learning outcomes that are too similar to the learning outcomes of this module. You may not earn additional credit for the same learning and therefore you may not enrol in this module if you have successfully completed any modules in the incompatible list.
Entrepreneruship 1
Co-requisite Modules
No Co-requisite modules listed
Requirements

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is mandatory before enrolment in this module is allowed. You may not enrol on this module if you have not acquired the learning specified in this section.
None
 
Indicative Content
The Entrepreneur
The nature and importance of entrepreneurs, decisions, process, role in economic development, background and characteristics. Technology entrepreneurship and its contribution to society and economic development.
Opportunity Recognition
Creativity and the Business Idea. Sources of new ideas, methods for generating ideas and screening, creative problem solving, Disruptive technologies, network effect & Standardisation, Product development cycle. Innovation Process. Technology versus Business models.
Feasibility Analysis: Testing the Business Concept
The founding team, Analysing the industry and Market, Analyzing product/service risks and benefits. Outside People Resources, Financial Resources, analyzing financial risks and benefits. Moore’s Crossing Chasm. Technology validation.
The Feasibility Plan
Definition, scope and value of feasibility, evaluation of feasibility plans, writing the feasibility plan, content of a business plan, using and implementing the business plan, why some businesses fail?
Legal Issues and Intellectual Property Rights
The legal form options of the new venture. Intellectual Property Rights; patents, trademarks, copyright protection and licensing agreements. Commercialisation issues. Licensing versus Spin-out.
New Venture Financing and Financial Planning
Financial requirements of the high technology venture over the development cycle. The costs and benefits of different types of business financing. Strategies for attracting venture capital. The components of the financial plan; cash flow projection, profit and loss account, balance sheet and break even analysis. Investment appraisal. R&D spend and payback.
Entrepreneruship in Practice
Case studies in Entrepreneurship and business proposals. Communicating the opportunity and making a presentation.
Module Content & Assessment
Assessment Breakdown%
Coursework100.00%

Assessments

Coursework
Assessment Type Essay % of Total Mark 30
Timing Week 5 Learning Outcomes 1,2
Assessment Description
Technology Entrepreneurship and Idea generation
Assessment Type Presentation % of Total Mark 20
Timing Week 8 Learning Outcomes 1,2,3,4,5
Assessment Description
Group Idea Generation Exercise e.g elevator pitch format
Assessment Type Written Report % of Total Mark 50
Timing Sem End Learning Outcomes 2,3,4,5
Assessment Description
Prepare a Feasibility Study Plan e.g. individual plans based on adoption of an idea from group idea generation exercise but not limited to this source.
No End of Module Formal Examination
Reassessment Requirement
Coursework Only
This module is reassessed solely on the basis of re-submitted coursework. There is no repeat written examination.

The University reserves the right to alter the nature and timings of assessment

 

Module Workload

Workload: Full Time
Workload Type Contact Type Workload Description Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload Hours
Lecture Contact Delivery of course material and involvement of guest lecturers Every Week 2.00 2
Lab Contact Seminar/workshops: Discussion forum Every Week 1.00 1
Independent & Directed Learning (Non-contact) Non Contact Learner self directed study Every Week 4.00 4
Total Hours 7.00
Total Weekly Learner Workload 7.00
Total Weekly Contact Hours 3.00
Workload: Part Time
Workload Type Contact Type Workload Description Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload Hours
Lecture Contact Delivery of course material, involvement of guest lecturers and discussion. Every Week 2.00 2
Directed Learning Non Contact Independent study and group work. Every Week 5.00 5
Total Hours 7.00
Total Weekly Learner Workload 7.00
Total Weekly Contact Hours 2.00
 
Module Resources
Recommended Book Resources
  • Robert Hisrich, Michael Peters, Dean Shepherd. (2012), Entrepreneurship, 9th. McGraw-Hill/Irwin, p.640, [ISBN: 0078029198].
Supplementary Book Resources
  • Kathleen Allen. (2015), Launching New Ventures-An Entrepreneurial Approach, 7th. Cengage Learning, [ISBN: 1305102507].
  • Joe Tidd and John Bessant. (2015), Innovation and Entrepreneurship, 3rd. Wiley, [ISBN: 9781118993095].
  • Natasha Evers, James Cunningham, Thomas Hoholm. (2014), Technology Entrepreneurship, 1st. Palgrave Macmillan, [ISBN: 9781137020109].
  • Jack M. Kaplan, Anthony C. Warren. (2010), Patterns of Entrepreneurship Management, 3rd. Wiley, p.432, [ISBN: 9780470169698].
  • Geoffrey Moore. (2014), Crossing the Chasm;Marketing and Selling Disruptive Products to Mainstream Customers, 3rd. Collins Business Essentials.
  • Thomas Cooney. (2010), Entrepreneurship Cases, Lambert Academic Publishing, [ISBN: 9783838355641].
  • Eric Ries. (2011), The Lean Start-Up;How constant innovation creates radically successful businesses, 1st.
  • Brian O'Kane. Starting a Business in Ireland, 6th. Oak Tree Press, [ISBN: 9781904887379].
  • Peggy A Lambing & Charles R. Kuehl. (2014), Entrepreneurship, 4th. Pearson, UK, [ISBN: 101292040009].
  • Frank Wood & Alan Sangster. (2015), Business Accounting, 13th. Pearson, UK, [ISBN: 9781292084664].
  • Ron Immick & Brian O Kane. Steps to Entrepreneruship; Centre for Innovation and Partnerships, Oak Tree Press.
  • Jeff Pert. Tomorrow's Business - A simple and practical guide to stretch the performance of your business, [ISBN: 1-86076-257-3].
  • Diane Mulcahy. (2005), Venturing Forward: A Practical Guide to Raising Equity Capital in Ireland, 1st. Oak Tree Press, Ireland, [ISBN: 1-904887-04- X].
  • William Cornish, David Llewelyn, Tanya Alpin. (2013), Intellectual Property: Patents, Copyrights, Trademarks & Allied Rights (Classic Series), 8th. Sweet & Maxwell, UK.
Supplementary Article/Paper Resources
  • International Small Business Management.
  • Journal of Small Business Management.
  • Entrepreneruship Theory and Practice.
  • European Small Business Journal.
  • Journal of Business Venturing.
  • Research and Development Management.
  • Harvard Business Review.
  • Entrepreneurship and Personal Development.
  • Strategic Entrepreneurship Journal.
Other Resources
  • Website, www.startingabusinessinireland.com.
  • Website, www.startingabusinessin BRITAIN.com.
  • Website, www.growingabusinessinireland.com.
  • Website, www.spotcheckonline.com.
  • Website, Irish Investor Network. http://www.irishinvestmentnetwork.ie.
  • Website, Irish Venture Capital Association. http://www.ivca.ie.
  • Website, Patents Office. http://www.patentsoffice.ie.
  • Website, European Patents office. http://www.epo.org.
 
Module Delivered in
Programme Code Programme Semester Delivery
CR_EELES_8 Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) in Electronic Engineering 8 Mandatory
CR_ESMPR_8 Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) in Smart Product Engineering 8 Mandatory
CR_ESENT_8 Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) in Sustainable Energy Engineering 7 Elective