Funding arrangements for a ‘start­up’ B2B sector new entrepreneurial venture

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Learning Outcomes tested

(from module syllabus)

Assessment Criteria To achieve each outcome a student must demonstrate the ability to:

1.  Analyse how successful entrepreneurs and investors create, find, and differentiate profitable and durable opportunities; in particular, how they tell these opportunities apart from just “other good ideas”

2.  Evaluate and determine how successful entrepreneurs and investors create and build value for themselves and others.

3.  Identify and determine the necessary financial and non-financial resources available for new ventures; the criteria used to screen and evaluate proposals, their attractiveness and risk, and know how to obtain start-up and early growth capital

4.  Determine the critical tasks to be accomplished, the hurdles to be overcome during start-up and early growth, and what has to happen to ensure success

5.     Apply the opportunity screening criteria to actual start-up ideas, and subsequently develop a business plan suitable for presentation to investors and industry participants, whilst developing and analysing integrated financial projections for start-up ventures.

 

 

·       Students will be able to analyse how entrepreneurs evaluate an idea, capitalise on it and create opportunities for themselves.

 

 

 

 

 

 

·      Entrepreneurs face risks .Students will have to evaluate the strategies that need to be undertaken by entrepreneurs to overcome the risks and become successful so that they can create and build value for themselves and investors.

 

Referencing:

In the main body of your submission you must give credit to authors on whose research your work is based. Append to your submission a reference list that indicates the books, articles, etc. that you have read or quoted in order to complete this assignment (e.g. for books: surname of author and initials,  year of publication, title of book, edition, publisher: place of publication).

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TASK DESCRIPTION – ASSIGNMENT : INDIVIDUAL REPORT

 

BACKGROUND / INTRODUCTION

 

Conduct a critical examination and discussion of the possible funding arrangements for a ‘start-up’ B2B sector new entrepreneurial venture.

 

TASKS

Select a ‘start-up’ B2B sector new entrepreneurial venture of your choice. Using this new venture critically examine and discuss the funding options open to small firms in the start-up phase of a new entrepreneurial venture within the B2B sector. Compare and contrast the different options available and critically consider the advantages and disadvantages of each option. Pay particular attention to the relatively new ‘crowd finance’ option available on various information technology platforms. Use the specific start-up of your choice as a vehicle for critical examination, comparison, evaluation and discussion.

 

STUDENT GUIDELINES FOR ASSIGNMENT CRITERIA

 

  • Demonstrating and employing your knowledge of entrepreneurship and your entrepreneurial skills developed on the course within the assignment.

 

  • Critically examines and discusses the funding options available to the new start-up firm.
  • Provides a critical evaluation and comparison of the funding options available.

 

  • Pays particular attention to the relatively new option of crowd financing, considers the crowd financing options and compares this method of financing to other more conventional options such as using venture capitalist funds and bank financing.

 

  • Provides a critical evaluation of the advantages and disadvantages of the funding options available in relation to the specific start-up B2B new venture under consideration.

 

  • Makes use of relevant conceptual models and analytical frameworks to help illustrate and explain the funding frameworks and processes available where appropriate.

 

  • Takes the budget constraints traditionally associated with new start-up ventures into consideration when deciding on the most appropriate funding option available.

 

  • Provides a full justification and rationale for the choices arrived at.

 

  • Demonstrates criticality of thinking, analysis and discussion throughout the report.
  • Use a start-up idea of your choice as a vehicle for critical discussion.

 

  • Write in report format and produce a report of professional quality in terms of content, structure and standard of presentation.

 

Additional material can be placed in the appendix. The appendix does not count in terms of the word length requirements. Only relevant additional material to support the written work in the actual report should be included in the appendix.

 

 

Please ensure that your report has

  • A table of contents
  • A list of figures and/ or list of tables where appropriate
  • Introduction
  • Literature Review- and Critical Analysis
  • Conclusions and Recommendations
  • References / Presentation  
  • Bibliography
  • Appendices if appropriate

 

 

 

 

LENGTH REQUIRED

2200words +/-10%, any deviation from this will be penalised.

 

 

 

FORMATTING AND LAYOUT

 

 

Please note the following when completing your written assignment:

  1. Writing: Written in English in an appropriate business/academic style
  2. Focus: Focus only on the tasks set in the assignment.
  3. Length: 2200 words
  4. Formatting: Typed on A4 paper in Times New Roman or Arial font 12 with at least 2.5 centimetre space at each edge, double spaced and pages numbered.
  5. Document format: Report
  6. Ensure a clear title, course, and name or ID number is on a cover sheet and a bibliography using Harvard referencing throughout is also provided.
  7. Research: Research should use reliable and relevant sources of information e.g. academic books and journals that have been peer reviewed. The research should be extensive.

 

 

The use of a range of information sources is expected – academic books, peer reviewed journal articles, professional articles, press releases and newspaper articles, reliable statistics, company annual reports and other company information. All references should be in the Harvard style.

 


marking criteria and Student FEEDBACK – ASSIGNMENT: INDIVIDUAL REPORT

This section details the assessment criteria. The extent to which these are demonstrated by you determines your mark. The marks available for each criterion are shown. Lecturers use a similar format to comment on the achievement of the task(s), including those areas in which you have performed well and areas that would benefit from development/improvement.

 

Common Assessment Criteria Applied

Marks available

Marks

Awarded

1. Research-informed Literature

Extent of research and/or own reading, selection of credible sources, application of appropriate referencing conventions.

 

 

 

Inserting your references (quality texts and published articles) into the appropriate places in the text. Listing these at the end of the report (Harvard Method)

15

 

 

2. Knowledge and Understanding of Subject

Extent of knowledge and understanding of concepts and underlying principles associated with the discipline.

 

 

 

Demonstrating insights into selected academic concepts and models.

The relevance of these in the context of the set questions.

 

15

 

 

3. Analysis

Analysis, evaluation and synthesis; logic, argument and judgement; analytical reflection; organisation  of ideas and evidence

 

 

 

Developing the potential value of the concepts/models.

Establishing a conceptual base to be applied in the next section of the report.

30

 

 

4. Practical Application and Deployment

Deployment of methods, materials, tools and techniques; application of concepts; formulation of innovative and creative solutions to solve problems.

 

 

 

Applying the concepts/ models in order to provide valuable and meaningful solutions and make recommendations to your chosen organisation.

 

30

 

 

5. Skills for Professional Practice

Attributes in professional practice: individual and collaborative working; deployment of appropriate media; presentation and organisation.

10

 

 

Written in report style. Appropriate use relevant methodologies and high level of professionalism showcased throughout the coursework. Work should be coherent and well-structured in presentation and organisation.

 

 

 

 

TOTAL

100

 

 

Assignment Mark (Assessment marks are subject to ratification at the Exam Board.  These comments and marks are to give feedback on module work and are for guidance only until they are confirmed. )

Late Submission Penalties (tick if appropriate)

%

GUIDANCE FOR Students IN THE COMPLETION OF TASKS

 

NOTE: The guidance offered below is linked to the five common assessment criteria above.

 

1.     Research-informed Literature

Your work must be informed and supported by scholarly material that is relevant to and focused on the task(s) set.    You should provide evidence that you have accessed a wide range of sources, which may be academic, governmental and industrial; these sources may include academic journal articles, textbooks, current news articles, organisational documents, and websites.  You should consider the credibility of your sources; academic journals are normally highly credible sources while websites require careful consideration/selection and should be used sparingly.   Any sources you use should be current and up-to-date, mostly published within the last five years or so, though seminal/important works in the field may be older.  You must provide evidence of your research/own reading throughout your work, using in-text citations in the main body of your work and a reference list that is alphabetical at the end of your work. Please use the Harvard referencing system.

 

2.     Knowledge and Understanding of Subject

Your work must demonstrate the growing extent of your knowledge and understanding of concepts and underlying principles associated with the subject area.  Knowledge relates to the facts, information and skills you have acquired through your learning.  You demonstrate your understanding by interpreting the meaning of the facts and information (knowledge). This means that you need to select and include in your work the concepts, techniques, models, theories, etc. appropriate to the task(s) set.  You should be able to explain the theories, concepts, etc. meaningfully to show your understanding.  Your mark/grade will also depend upon the extent to which you demonstrate your knowledge and understanding; ideally each should be complete and detailed, with comprehensive coverage.

 

3.     Analysis

Your work must contain evidence of logical, analytical thinking, evaluation and synthesis. For example, to examine and break information down into parts, make inferences, compile, compare and contrast information.  This means not just describing What! but also justifying: Why? How? When? Who? Where? At all times, you must provide justification for your arguments and judgements.  Evidence that you have reflected upon the ideas of others within the subject area is crucial to you providing a reasoned and informed debate within your work.  Furthermore, you should provide evidence that you are able to make sound judgements and convincing arguments using data and concepts.  Sound, valid conclusions are necessary and must be derived from the content of your work.  There should be no new information presented within your conclusion.  Where relevant, alternative solutions and recommendations may be proposed.

 

4.     Practical Application and Deployment

You should be able to demonstrate how the subject-related concepts and ideas relate to real world situations or a particular context.  How do they work in practice?  You will deploy models, methods, techniques, and/or theories, in that context, to assess current situations, perhaps to formulate plans or solutions to solve problems, some of which may be innovative and creative.  This is likely to involve, for instance, the use of real world examples and cases, the application of a model within an organisation and/or benchmarking one organisation against others based on stated criteria.  You should show awareness of the limitations of concepts and theories when applied in particular contexts.

 

5.     Skills for Professional Practice

Your work must provide evidence of the attributes expected in professional practice.  This includes demonstrating your individual initiative and/or collaborative working. You must communicate effectively in a suitable format, which may be written and/or oral, for example, essay, management report, presentation. Work should be coherent and well-structured in presentation and organisation.

 

 

 


UNDERGRADUATE – COMMON ASSESSMENT AND MARKING CRITERIA

 

OUTRIGHT FAIL

UNSATISFACTORY

SATISFACTORY

GOOD

VERY GOOD

EXCELLENT

EXCEPTIONAL

Assessment Criteria

0-29%

30-39%*

40-49%

50-59%

60-69%

70-79%

80-100%

1. Research-informed Literature

Extent of research and/or own reading,  selection of credible sources, application of appropriate referencing conventions

Little or no evidence of reading.

Views and findings unsupported and non-authoritative.

Referencing conventions largely ignored.

Poor evidence of reading and/or of reliance on inappropriate sources, and/or indiscriminate use of sources.

Referencing conventions used inconsistently.

References to a limited range of mostly relevant sources. Some omissions and minor errors.

Referencing conventions evident though not always applied consistently.

Inclusion of a range of research-informed literature, including sources retrieved independently. Referencing conventions mostly consistently applied.

Inclusion of a wide range of research-informed literature, including sources retrieved independently.

Selection of relevant and credible sources.  Very good use of referencing conventions, consistently applied.

A comprehensive range of research informed literature embedded in the work. Excellent selection of relevant and credible sources. High-level referencing skills, consistently applied.

Outstanding knowledge of research-informed literature embedded in the work. Outstanding selection of relevant and credible sources. High-level referencing skills consistently and professionally applied.

2. Knowledge and Understanding of Subject

Extent of knowledge and understanding of concepts and underlying principles associated with the discipline.

Major gaps in knowledge and understanding of material at this level. Substantial inaccuracies.

Gaps in knowledge, with only superficial understanding. Some significant inaccuracies.

Evidence of basic knowledge and understanding of the relevant concepts and underlying principles.

Knowledge is accurate with a good understanding of the field of study.

Knowledge is extensive.  Exhibits understanding of the breadth and depth of established views.

Excellent knowledge and understanding of the main concepts and key theories. Clear awareness of challenges to established views and the limitations of the knowledge base.

Highly detailed knowledge and understanding of the main theories/concepts, and a critical awareness of the ambiguities and limitations of knowledge.

3.  Analysis

Analysis, evaluation and synthesis; logic, argument and judgement; analytical reflection; organisation  of ideas and evidence

Unsubstantiated generalisations, made without use of any credible evidence. Lack of logic, leading to unsupportable/ missing conclusions. Lack of any attempt to analyse, synthesise or evaluate.

Some evidence of analytical intellectual skills, but for the most part descriptive. Ideas/findings sometimes illogical and contradictory. Generalised statements made with scant evidence. Conclusions lack relevance.

Evidence of some logical, analytical thinking and some attempts to synthesise, albeit with some weaknesses.

Some evidence to support findings/ views, but evidence not consistently interpreted.

Some relevant conclusions and recommendations, where relevant

Evidence of some logical, analytical thinking and synthesis. Can analyse new and/or abstract data and situations without guidance.

An emerging awareness of different stances and ability to use evidence to support the argument.

Valid conclusions and recommendations, where relevant

Sound, logical, analytical thinking; synthesis and evaluation. Ability to devise and sustain persuasive arguments, and to review the reliability, validity & significance of evidence. Ability to communicate ideas and evidence accurately and convincingly.

Sound, convincing conclusions / recommendations.

Thoroughly logical work, supported by evaluated evidence. High quality analysis, developed independently or through effective collaboration.

Ability to investigate contradictory information and identify reasons for contradictions.

Strong, persuasive, conclusions, justifiable recommendations.

Exceptional work; judiciously selected and evaluated evidence. Very high quality analysis, developed independently or through effective collaboration.

Ability to investigate contradictory information and identify reasons for contradictions.

Highly persuasive conclusions

4. Practical Application and Deployment

Effective deployment of appropriate methods, materials, tools and techniques; extent of skill demonstrated in the application of concepts to a variety of processes and/or contexts; formulation of innovative and creative solutions to solve problems.

Limited or no use of methods, materials, tools and/or techniques.

Little or no appreciation of the context of the application.

Rudimentary application of methods, materials, tools and/or techniques but without consideration and competence. Flawed appreciation of the context of the application.

 

 

An adequate awareness and mostly appropriate application of well established methods, materials, tools and/or techniques.

Basic appreciation of the context of the application.

 

A good and appropriate application of standard methods, materials, tools and/or techniques.

Good appreciation of the context of the application, with some use of examples, where relevant.

 

A very good application of a range of methods, materials, tools and/or techniques.

Very good consideration of the context of the application, with perceptive use of examples, where relevant.

Evidence of some innovation and creativity.

An advanced application of a range of methods, materials, tools and/or techniques.

The context of the application is well considered, with extensive use of relevant examples.

Application and deployment extend beyond established conventions.  Innovation and creativity evident throughout.

Outstanding levels of application and deployment skills. Assimilation and development of cutting edge processes and techniques.

5. Skills for Professional Practice

Demonstrates attributes expected in professional practice including: individual initiative and collaborative working; deployment of appropriate media to communicate (including written and oral); clarity and effectiveness in presentation and organisation.

Communication media is inappropriate or misapplied.

Little or no evidence of autonomy in the completion of tasks.

Work is poorly structured and/or largely incoherent.

Media is poorly designed and/or not suitable for the audience.

Poor independent or collaborative initiative.

Work lacks structure, organisation, and/or coherence

Can communicate in a suitable format but with some room for improvement.

Can work as part of a team, but with limited involvement in group activities.

Work lacks coherence in places and could be better structured.

Can communicate effectively in a suitable format, but may have minor errors.

Can work effectively as part of a team, with clear contribution to group activities.

Mostly coherent work and is in a suitable structure.

Can communicate well, confidently and consistently in a suitable format.

Can work very well as part of a team, with very good contribution to group activities.

Work is coherent and fluent and is well structured and organised.

Can communicate professionally and, confidently in a suitable format.

Can work professionally within a team, showing leadership skills as appropriate, managing conflict and meeting obligations.

Work is coherent, very fluent and is presented professionally.

Can communicate with an exceptionally high level of professionalism.

Can work exceptionally well and professionally within a team, showing advanced leadership skills.

Work is exceptionally coherent, very fluent and is presented professionally.

 

 

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