ASSIGNMENT BRIEF
Unit 9: Entrepreneurial Ventures
Higher National Certificate/Diploma in Business
Assignment Brief 1
Student Name/ID Number:
Unit Number and Title: Unit 9: Entrepreneurial Ventures
Academic Year: 2023/24
Unit Tutor/Assessor: Najmul Hasan
Assignment Title: Spark Ventures: Unleashing Entrepreneurial Success
Issue Date: 13 January 2025
Submission Date: 23 February 2025
IV Name & Date: Christian Uchenna, 06-01-2025
Submission Format
The submission format is in the form of an individual report which must be submitted by each learner. The report should be written in a concise formal business style using single spacing and font size 12. You are required to make use of headings, paragraphs, and sub-sections as appropriate. All work must be supported with research and referenced using the Harvard referencing system. Inaccurate use of referencing may lead to issues of plagiarism if not applied correctly. Plagiarism of up to 20% is acceptable for the submission to be valid.
The recommended word limit is 2,000 words, although you will not be penalised for going under or exceeding the total word limit.
Learners must keep a backup copy of all work in progress and final assignments in case of IT failure or work being lost.
Please use Appendix 1 (Student Assignment Submission and Declaration) as the front page to your assignment submission.
Unit Learning Outcomes
LO1: Examine what it takes to be an entrepreneur and the scope of entrepreneurial ventures.
LO2: Explore the concept of the entrepreneurial mindset and its contribution to entrepreneurial ventures.
Transferable Skills and Competencies Developed
- Effective written communication with articulation and explanation of information.
- The ability to analyse and evaluate a range of business data and sources of information.
- Using research for evidence-based decision-making.
- Digital literacy with the development of minimum core skills.
- Interpretation of information that allows for evaluation of theory to practice.
- Conceptual and critical thinking, analysis, synthesis, and evaluation.
- Developing an understanding of entrepreneurial ventures’ traits, characteristics, and mindsets, using real examples.
Vocational Scenario
Organisation: Spark
The organisation is a start-up incubator called Spark, which provides mentoring, training, funding, and networking opportunities for aspiring entrepreneurs with innovative ideas. Spark helps entrepreneurs validate their ideas, develop business models, pitch their products or services, and launch ventures into the market.
Spark is a non-profit, quasi-governmental organisation established under the Department of Trade and Industry’s Startup Initiative. Through a network of incubators and accelerators, Spark fosters entrepreneurship and promotes innovation across various industries.
Spark provides four key elements:
- Training Programs & Workshops – Equipping entrepreneurs with business skills.
- Mentorship – Guidance from successful founders, industry veterans, and experts.
- Funding Facilitation – Access to capital from angel investors and venture firms.
- Networking – Connections via events and partnerships with corporate and government entities.
Role
You are working as a Trainee Entrepreneurial Consultant at Spark. Your role includes assisting mentors and trainers in workshops and coaching sessions, evaluating entrepreneurial ideas, and providing constructive feedback. Understanding entrepreneurship and the entrepreneurial mindset is crucial, as you will be working with diverse entrepreneurs.
Assignment Activity and Guidance
As part of your onboarding training, you must complete a case study report on an entrepreneurial venture. Focus on a successful entrepreneurial venture of your choice, critically evaluating the entrepreneur’s characteristics and skills, the venture’s nature and scope, and the entrepreneurial mindset’s contribution to success. Use additional entrepreneurial examples for analysis.
Your report should include:
- Definitions of entrepreneur and entrepreneurial venture.
- Personal and professional skills of an entrepreneur.
- Research and analysis of the scope of entrepreneurial ventures.
- Comparison of at least two entrepreneurial examples, including serial, technology, or social entrepreneurs.
- Evaluation of similarities and differences between entrepreneurial ventures and entrepreneurs’ traits.
- Examination of the entrepreneurial mindset and its influence on entrepreneurs’ behaviour, attitude, and challenges.
- Discussion on how to encourage an entrepreneurial mindset and its benefits to new ventures.
- Critical reflection on the role of the entrepreneurial mindset in entrepreneurial success.
Recommended Resources
- Bygrave, W. D., & Zacharakis, A. (2014). The Portable MBA in Entrepreneurship. Wiley.
- Drucker, P. F. (2014). Innovation and Entrepreneurship: Practice and Principles. HarperBusiness.
- Stevenson, H. H., & Jarillo, J. C. (1990). A Paradigm of Entrepreneurship: Entrepreneurial Management. Strategic Management Journal, 11(5), 17-27.
Weblinks:
- Small Business Administration (SBA)
- Stanford Technology Ventures Program
- National Association for the Self-Employed (NASE)
Learning Outcomes and Assessment Criteria
| Pass | Merit | Distinction |
|---|---|---|
| P1 Investigate the scope of entrepreneurial ventures using various examples. | M1 Evaluate the similarities and differences between entrepreneurial ventures. | D1 Critically examine entrepreneurial ventures and the traits associated with entrepreneurship using multiple examples. |
| P3 Explain what is meant by an ‘entrepreneurial mindset’. | M2 Determine how the entrepreneurial mindset can be encouraged. | |
| P5 Interpret relevant data and statistics to relate how small businesses impact the economy. | M3 Compare differences between business sizes and their economic impact. | D2 Appraise impacts of businesses on different levels of the economy using data. |
| P6 Discuss differences and similarities between public and corporate intrapreneurship. | M4 Explore benefits of intrapreneurship in organisations. | D3 Evaluate the use of intrapreneurship and its benefits. |
APPENDIX 1: STUDENT ASSIGNMENT SUBMISSION AND DECLARATION
Each student must complete the details below and sign a declaration confirming the work is their own. This front page should be submitted along with the assignment.
Student Name:
Assessor Name:
Issue Date:
Submission Date:
Submitted On:
Programme:
Unit Number and Title:
Assignment Title:
Plagiarism Statement
Plagiarism is a serious academic offence and must be avoided. Ensure correct referencing practices. If unsure, consult your tutor.
Student Declaration:
I certify that this assignment is my own work and understand the consequences of plagiarism.
Student Signature (Type Name for E-Submissions):
Date:
This assignment is part of the Pearson BTEC HNC/D Level 4/5 in Business, specifically for Unit 9: Entrepreneurial Ventures. The assignment titled “Spark Ventures: Unleashing Entrepreneurial Success” requires students to submit an individual report analyzing an entrepreneurial venture. The submission must adhere to formal business writing standards and the Harvard referencing system.