BSS079-3 Innovation and Entrepreneurship Assignment Brief 2026/27 | UoB

Key assignment details

Permitted for research support, idea exploration, search-term generation and organisation of information, subject to University policy. All use must be critically verified and transparently acknowledged. Generative AI must not replace your own critical analysis, reflective evaluation or oral delivery, and must not be used to create a synthetic presenter. UG Business Checklist for Ethical Use of AI in Assessments.docx

28/09/2026

Date this discussion is to take place

Assessment task

Produce an individual 15-minute recorded video presentation that presents and critically justifies a business plan for a new business venture. The venture may be an independent start-up or a clearly defined new corporate venture, product or service within an existing organisation. It must represent a credible new market opportunity rather than a minor operational improvement.

Your presentation must:

• Define the customer problem or unmet need and explain the venture’s innovative value proposition;
• Critically analyse the external environment, target market, customers and competitors using current and credible evidence and appropriate frameworks;
• Explain and justify the proposed business model and start-up or growth strategy;
• Present an integrated marketing, operational and financial plan, including realistic assumptions about costs, pricing, revenue and viability;
• Explain how the venture will operate, including delivery processes, technology/AI tools and key implementation milestones.
• Critically evaluate the entrepreneurial leadership, management and team capabilities required to establish and operate the venture;
• Evaluate relevant risks, ethical considerations, sustainability implications and legal or regulatory requirements; and
• Conclude with a clear, evidence-based recommendation on whether and how the venture should proceed.

Submission component:

• One recorded video presentation in the file format specified on BREO.
• The presentation slide deck, containing in-text citations and a complete Harvard-style reference list.
• Only essential supporting appendices, such as financial calculations or research tables. Appendices support the oral presentation; they are not a substitute for presenting and evaluating the key evidence.

Evidence and presentation requirements

• Use a balanced range of relevant academic and credible practitioner, industry and official sources. Clearly distinguish sourced facts from your own assumptions or estimates.
• Apply concepts and frameworks critically. Do not present models as descriptive lists; use them to reach and justify decisions.
• All sources, data, images and permitted use of generative AI must be acknowledged in accordance with university requirements.
• The video recorded delivery must be your own voice and must be clear, professional and accessible. Slides should be readable and the recording should remain focused on the assessed business plan.
• This is an individual assessment. Discussion and peer learning are encouraged during teaching, but the assessed venture, analysis and presentation must be your own work.

Assessment support and draft-feedback limits

• Assessment support sessions will be provided before the end of Week 7 and again in Week 11, before the submission deadline.
• Tutors will clarify the task, discuss your venture concept, proposed frameworks and give feedback to improve.
• Use Student Support Hours, the library, Academic Skills support and Studiosity early enough to act on the guidance received.

Learning outcomes assessed

• LO1 - Demonstrate critical understanding of the role of corporate innovation and the entrepreneurial character, start-up and growth strategies, and business planning.
• LO2 - Critically evaluate the skills and attributes required in the leadership, operation and management of an entrepreneurial organisation.

To pass this assessment (40% or above), your work must at minimum:

• present a clear new business venture and a basic evidence-based explanation of the opportunity;
• apply relevant innovation, entrepreneurship and business-planning concepts covering the essential market, operational, and leadership viability;
• identify and evaluate relevant entrepreneurial leadership and management skills and attributes; and
• demonstrate research through appropriate citations and a Harvard-style reference list;

To achieve a strong grade, you should:

• synthesise academic and industry evidence rather than relying on description or unsupported opinion;
• make explicit, justified choices and evaluate alternatives, limitations, assumptions and risks;
• integrate the market, business model, operations, leadership, marketing and finance into one internally consistent plan;
• show critical self-awareness and a realistic plan for developing the entrepreneurial and leadership capabilities required; and
• deliver a focused, professional and persuasive presentation with accurate referencing and transparent academic practice.

This assessment is the culmination of the scheduled sessions on the external business environment, entrepreneurial leadership, corporate innovation, innovation and technology, disruptive opportunities, entrepreneurial motivation, new ventures, small-business marketing and management, and the entrepreneurial team. You will use that learning to make and defend an integrated venture decision rather than reproduce separate weekly topics.

It develops your ability to recognise opportunity, use evidence, solve complex business problems, design an innovative business model, evaluate viability and communicate a professional proposal. It also requires you to evaluate the leadership and entrepreneurial capabilities needed to move an idea from concept to implementation.

These are directly relevant to graduate and professional roles involving innovation, new product development, start-ups, business development, consultancy, project leadership, and small business management.

The table below identifies the graduate competencies developed and evidenced through this assessment.

Submission

• Submit through the BSS079-3 assessment submission point in BREO before 10 a.m. on the confirmed Week 11 deadline.
• Upload the recorded presentation, the final slide deck and only the permitted supporting appendices. Follow the file-format and naming instructions published in BREO.
• Before submitting, verify that the recording opens, the audio is clear, all slides are legible and every required file is attached. Retain your submission receipt.

Academic integrity and evidence

• The analysis, reflective evaluation and oral delivery must be your own. Cite all sources, datasets, images, frameworks and externally produced material using the required Harvard style.
• Any permitted generative-AI use must be critically checked and transparently acknowledged. Do not submit fabricated sources, unverifiable data, AI-generated analysis presented as your own, or a synthetic voice/avatar.
• Do not use confidential or personal data without authority. Anonymise sensitive information and use reliable public or appropriately authorised evidence.
• Appendices are not a place for undeveloped arguments. The key analysis and conclusions must be communicated within the assessed presentation.

Support and accessibility

• Use the assessment explanation, rubric, BREO materials, library resources, Student Support Hours, Academic Skills support, Studiosity and the two planned assessment-support sessions.
• Create readable slides, use clear spoken delivery and add captions or a transcript where the submission guidance requires this. Contact the University support services promptly if you need an agreed reasonable adjustment.
• The exact AY26-27 deadline, feedback date, recording method and upload formats must be confirmed in BREO before submission.