In groups of five, you are required to develop a Business Model Canvas (BMC) outlining the key components of a new business idea.

Assessment and Feedback 

Summary Assessment Information

This module will be assessed via two items of assessment                           

Assessment Guidance

1) Word count includes the title page, contents page, in-text references and citations but excludes tables, reference list and appendices.

2)Work should include references to relevant journal articles and other good quality information sources and should be properly laid out using the UUBS Harvard system of referencing. Detailed guidance is available at: Welcome-Business and Management-Library Guides at Ulster University. We encourage you to make use of the support services offered by the library: Contact Subject Librarians, further details are in the Learning Support Services Section.

3)You should refer to the assessment criteria to provide fuller details of the marking criteria for each classification band.

4)In addition, you should refer to the standard assessment guidelines as presented in your Course Handbook/Support Area, this includes guidance and policies on referencing style, plagiarism, etc.

5)We recommend the use of Studiosity which offers constructive feedback on draft written submissions within 24 hrs.

6)Coursework must be submitted by the dates specified. Coursework submitted after the deadline, without prior approval, is not normally accepted. For further guidance on the late submission of coursework, please see the course handbook.

7)Assessments must be submitted as per the assessment brief.

8)Please note: Words in excess of +10% of the word count will not be marked.

Coursework 1 (25%%)

In groups of five, you are required to develop a Business Model Canvas (BMC) outlining the key components of a new business idea. The Business Model Canvas serves as a visual framework to describe, design, and challenge your business model. This assignment will contribute 25% to your overall coursework assessment. [25% pitch based on BMC]

Poster Pitch: Every group member will make a 1-minute elevator pitch to clearly define, describe and articulate the value and feasibility of the proposed business idea. The modalities for the elevator pitch delivery will be communicated during our sessions and BB announcements.

Additional information.

1: Business Idea: Each student should give a 60 second ‘Elevator pitch’ where you clearly define and describe your proposed business idea. Ensure it aligns with the concepts covered in the course.

1. 2.  Utilise the Business Model Canvas (BMC) template to outline the key components of your business model. Include details for each segment of the BMC, such as customer segments, value propositions, revenue streams etc.
   1. 3.  Visuals. Create a visually appealing and clear presentation of your Business Model Canvas.
   2. 4.  Sources. Your work should include references to good quality information sources, such as industry reports, government and business data. Poster submission

• There will be five students in a group and every group will appoint a Team Leader
• Students shall include a Title page in their poster, which will contain the Business idea/name, Group name, name of each member, student IDs and contributory percentage to the group work
• The Group leader shall submit the complete poster file on behalf of the group and each member of the group shall submit only the Title page
• Where the 1-minute elevator pitch is recorded, a live link of the recordings shall be pasted on each student’s document before submission.

i)  "SurnameFirstNameBNumber" ii) e.g. BrownJohnB00001234_AssignmentOne.

Coursework 1 Feedback: 4 weeks post-submission where possible

Coursework 1 – ASSESSMENT RUBRIC/MARKING PROFORMA

Coursework 2 Assessment Task

Feasibility study and New Venture Report [75%] Individual Assignment

This assignment extends your exploration of the proposed business idea by exploring the feasibility of your business idea and integrating an analysis of the entrepreneurial ecosystem of your chosen country, region, or city. Your report should investigate and

discuss how the entrepreneurial ecosystem influences the feasibility and success of your specific venture. This assignment is in two Parts:

Part A: Feasibility Study (600 words)-15%

Part B: Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Analysis (2,000 words)-60% Total: 2,600 words-75 

In Part A (Feasibility Study), you are required to individually explore the feasibility of the business idea presented in your poster by presenting a 600-word feasibility study covering the following:

Feasibility written report (15%) a. Leveraging trends

Identify and discuss key trends or opportunities that your business model leverages. Explain how your venture capitalises on these trends to gain a competitive edge.

b. Innovation Highlights

Emphasise the innovative elements in your business idea(s)

Detail how your product/service offering introduces novel solutions or improvements compared to existing alternatives, i.e. What sets it apart from existing ideas?

c. Global market perspective

Articulate how or if your business model could be expanded to cater to a global market. Analyse the international appeal of your product/service and its alignment with global consumer needs. 

• Students will be expected to show understanding of the model, how the components are interlinked and its application to real world situations.
• Marks are awarded for content, quality of discussion, the feasibility of the proposed business and creative problem solving. Assignment 1 submission

Additional guidance will be available in your Blackboard Module Assessment Folder. All submitted assignments should have the file name:

Part B: Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Analysis (60%).

With reference to the Isenberg model, analyse key components of the entrepreneurial ecosystem in your chosen location and justify your choice of country, region, or city for locating your business.

Consider the presence of incubators, accelerators, funding sources, and government support.

Consider factors such as regulatory environment, access to talent, and market conditions.

Discuss how your venture plans to engage with and benefit from the local entrepreneurial network. Explore potential partnerships, collaborations, or mentorship opportunities within the ecosystem.

Discuss two or three challenges that your business may face that highlight limitations in the ecosystem.

1) This section of the assessment will take the form of a report of 2000 words (+/- 10%) including intext citations, but excluding reference list, contents page and any appendices.

2) Guidance will be given during the semester and supplemented by material under the assessment tab on BBL.

3) This element of coursework accounts for 60% of the overall assessment. Students should refer to the generic Level 7 marking criteria and the marking sheet to provide them with fuller details of marking criteria.

4)  Completed assignments must be submitted via Turnitin by 12 noon on 12th May 2025

a) The assignment will be completed individually.

b) All submitted assignments should have the file name:

i) "SurnameFirstNameBNumber"

e.g. BrownJohnB00001234_AssignmentOne

5)  View additional ‘Standard Assessment Guidance,’ (below) for further applicable guidance.

Coursework 2 Feedback

Written feedback will be provided via Blackboard 4 weeks post submission, where possible.

Standard Assessment Guidance

a)All coursework should use the UUBS Harvard system of referencing. Detailed guidance is available in the ‘Guide to Referencing in the Harvard Style’. We encourage you to make use of support services offered by UU Library staff, the Student Success Centre and the English for Academic Studies Centre.

b)You should refer to the Level 7 marking criteria for each classification band.

c)In addition, standard assessment guidelines are presented in your Programme Support Area. This includes guidance and policies on referencing style, plagiarism, academic writing etc. Note that assignments will be marked in accordance with the University’s plagiarism policy.

d)We recommend the use of Studiosity which offers constructive feedback on draft written submissions within 24 hrs.

e)Late submissions will not be accepted unless supported by extenuating evidence as required by Ulster University policy.

f)Word count includes in-text references and citations but excludes the title page, contents page, reference list and any appendices. Non-compliance with the word limit will result in a penalty being applied in accordance with the University Word Limit Policy which can be found on your Course Support Area in Blackboard.

+10% - no penalty

+>10% - 20% - 5% penalty

+>20% - 30% - 10% penalty

+>30% - 40% - 15% penalty

+>40% - 50% - 20% penalty

+>50% - maximum mark of 40.

Coursework 2 – ASSESSMENT RUBRIC/MARKING PROFORMA 

Mark awarded: Second marker:

Agreed: (and Date)

Generic Assessment Criteria (Qualitative) Level 7