Viability of Innovative Business Projects

Credits
4.5
Types
Compulsory
Requirements
  • This subject must be enroled at the same time as: FPEI-MEI
Department
OE
The course aims to promote the entrepreneurial spirit of the participants while establishing the process for developing a business plan that goes around an innovative business idea. For this reason, the process of developing the business plan will be done around one or more within three main innovation concepts.

The three axes for the development of an innovative business idea around which the matter will evolve, are: the identification of long-term market trends as a source of innovation, technology benchmarking as an innovative inspiration and ethical business model as the core of innovative thinking.

Teachers

Person in charge

Weekly hours

Theory
2
Problems
0
Laboratory
2
Guided learning
0
Autonomous learning
7.25

Competences

Technical Competences of each Specialization

Direcció i gestió

  • CDG3 - Capability to manage research, development and innovation projects in companies and technology centers, guaranteeing the safety of people and assets, the final quality of products and their homologation.

    • Generic Technical Competences

    Generic

  • CG8 - Capability to apply the acquired knowledge and to solve problems in new or unfamiliar environments inside broad and multidisciplinary contexts, being able to integrate this knowledge.
  • CG10 - Capacity to apply economics, human resources and projects management principles, as well as legislation, regulation and standardization of Informatics.

    • Transversal Competences

    Entrepreneurship and innovation

  • CTR1 - Capacity for knowing and understanding a business organization and the science that rules its activity, capability to understand the labour rules and the relationships between planning, industrial and commercial strategies, quality and profit. Capacity for developping creativity, entrepreneurship and innovation trend.

    • Basic

  • CB8 - Capability to communicate their conclusions, and the knowledge and rationale underpinning these, to both skilled and unskilled public in a clear and unambiguous way.

    • Objectives

    1. Understand and appreciate the role of the entrepreneur in modern society
      Related competences: CG10, CTR1,
    2. Being able to analyze the external situation to determine business innovative ideas
      Related competences: CG10, CTR1,
    3. Around an innovative project, being able to build a reasonable business plan
      Related competences: CDG3, CB8, CG10,
    4. Building a solid and convincing speech about a business idea and a business plan
      Related competences: CB8, CG8, CG10,

    Contents

    1. Introduction to the course and key aspects of business
    2. The entrepreneur's role in society, characteristics and profile
    3. Innovation and benchmarking Axis 1) Identification of long-term in the market
    4. Innovation and benchmarking axis 2) Technological evolution as a source of ideas. Technology applied to industry.
    5. Axis of innovation and benchmarking 3) ethical business models as a source of innovation and ideas
    6. From the idea to the company. Contents of the business plan. Market research.
    7. Competitive advantages. SWOT Analysis
    8. Marketing plan: strategic marketing, distribution and product
    9. Marketing plan: price and promotion strategies
    10. The human team in a small innovative company
    11. Different kind of societies. Fiscal basics for entrepreneurs
    12. Need of resources. Building the balance sheet at the beginning of the company
    13. Building a forecasted P&L for the first two years. Cash-Flow

    Activities

    Activity Evaluation act


    Introduction to the course. Key aspects of the business and the entrepreneur


    • Laboratory: Forming working teams
    • Autonomous learning: Reading chapters 1 and 2, book Entrepreneurship
    Objectives: 1
    Contents:
    Theory
    1.5h
    Problems
    0h
    Laboratory
    1h
    Guided learning
    0h
    Autonomous learning
    3h

    Working on the different innovation axes

    Working around the three axes: market trends, technological innovation and ethical standards, students will discover ways to find innovative ideas sustainable over time.
    • Laboratory: Search for possible innovative business ideas around each of the three axes
    • Autonomous learning: Reading the book "Empresa 3.0" at Bibliography and go ahead with your business plan
    Objectives: 2 3
    Contents:
    Theory
    3h
    Problems
    0h
    Laboratory
    2.5h
    Guided learning
    0h
    Autonomous learning
    12h

    Shaping the business idea

    Working the concept of competitive advantage and SWOT analysis. Revisiting the structure of a business plan and market research
    • Laboratory: Introducing the initial idea and needs for market analysis
    • Autonomous learning: Read chapters 4 and 5 book Entrepreneurship book in bibliography Build competitive advantages and our SWOT analysis
    Objectives: 3 4
    Contents:
    Theory
    6.5h
    Problems
    0h
    Laboratory
    3h
    Guided learning
    0h
    Autonomous learning
    12h

    Marketing plan


    • Laboratory: Definition of marketing strategies in the plan and the pricing and promotion policies
    • Autonomous learning: Read chapters 6 and 7 book "Entrepreneurship" at bibliography Going ahead with your business plan
    Objectives: 2 3
    Contents:
    Theory
    3h
    Problems
    0h
    Laboratory
    3h
    Guided learning
    0h
    Autonomous learning
    12h

    Human team and formal issues


    • Laboratory: Analysis of a business case on human team efficiency and suitability and another on types of juridical society Writing the disegn for a marketing plan
    • Autonomous learning: Reading chapter 8 book Entrepreneurship at bibliography Going ahead with your business plan
    Objectives: 1 4
    Contents:
    Theory
    4h
    Problems
    0h
    Laboratory
    4.1h
    Guided learning
    0h
    Autonomous learning
    10h

    Balance sheet and P&L statement


    • Laboratory: Presenting the marketing plan and building initial balance sheet
    • Autonomous learning: Read book Comptabilitat i Finances per no Financers at bibliography and prepare balance sheets and operating accounts
    Objectives: 3 4
    Contents:
    Theory
    2h
    Problems
    0h
    Laboratory
    4.4h
    Guided learning
    0h
    Autonomous learning
    12h

    Presenting the marketing plan and the business model


    Objectives: 1 2 3 4
    Week: 10
    Theory
    0h
    Problems
    0h
    Laboratory
    0h
    Guided learning
    0h
    Autonomous learning
    0h

    Teaching methodology

    During the lectures, classes will be complemented, depending on the subject, with previous examples of development that enable students to gain practical ideas for the work to be done in the project sessions. Case studies will also form a fundamental part of this block.

    In some cases, theory lectures will include short lectures of entrepreneurs or managers to provide real guidance on how he / she addressed the main issue the session is about.

    Regarding project sessions, they will focus on enabling students to progress in building their business plan. The methodologies used range from group dynamics and brain storming to doing online market research, preparation of specific parts of the business plan or cross-presentation between group members.

    Project development sessions will be carefully scheduled and designed to facilitate the implementation of business plan.

    Evaluation methodology

    The assessment is based on student presentations and the defence of the business plan in front of a jury comprising course faculty members and - optionally - another member of the teaching staff or guest professional. 

    Throughout the course there will be three evaluative milestones:
    - The presentation of the innovative business model,
    - The presentation of the business plan as a whole,
    - The analysis of the financial plan and the proposal to investors.
    The presentation simulates a professional setting. Accordingly, the following aspects will also be assessed: dress, formal, well-structured communication, etc. 

    In order to be able to publicly defend the business plan, students must have attended at least 70% of the classes and teams must have delivered on time the activities that have been planned. The plan is the result of teamwork, which will be reflected in the grade given to the group as a whole. Each member of the group will be responsible for part of the project and will be graded individually on his or her contribution. 

    This approach is designed to foster teamwork, in which members share responsibility for attaining a common objective.

    Bibliography

    Basic

    Complementary

    Previous capacities

    Having some previous experience in business administration or having previously completed subjects such as VPE (Viability of Business Projects) while studying Computer Engineering is desirable.

    Reading a certain level in English is also desirable.