1. Identify innovative venture opportunities informed by market insights

Research Skills, Personal development & entrepreneurship

2. Apply analytical, research, and innovation tools to develop a viable business concept based on market evidence and entrepreneurial thinking.

Application and Problem Solving, Knowledge and Understanding

3. Apply storytelling techniques to communicate to prospective purchasers' venture purpose, value and innovation

Digital Literacy, Communication

This module introduces students to the process of new venture creation through innovation, creativity and storytelling. It enables students to conceive, design and communicate an original product or service concept, placing narrative and innovation at the centre of entrepreneurial practice.

The module adopts a creative, experiential and collaborative approach that reflects contemporary entrepreneurial environments. Students work in groups to explore opportunity recognition, innovation tools and storytelling techniques, culminating in the development and communication of a viable venture concept.

The module explicitly supports pathways into self-employment, freelancing and venture start-up. Students will develop the creative, analytical and communication skills required for entrepreneurial careers and for communicating innovative ideas to a range of stakeholders.

Assessment 1: Venture Storytelling Pitch

Format: Individual pitch presentation

You will work individually to develop and pitch a new venture concept. The pitch should demonstrate:

A clearly defined venture concept grounded in an appropriate sector context

Evidence of innovation and creative thinking

Application of relevant business and management principles

Consideration of customer experience and market positioning

Awareness of ethical, inclusive and sustainable practices where appropriate

Effective use of storytelling techniques to communicate a persuasive and engaging narrative

Professional communication suitable for an investor or stakeholder audience

You will be assessed on the quality and clarity of the venture concept, the integration of relevant theory and practice, the coherence of the narrative, and the professionalism of the delivery. A structured question-and-answer element will assess your depth of understanding and your ability to justify key decisions.

Embedded Formative Assessment

Students will participate in early-stage idea pitching, narrative development workshops and pitch rehearsal sessions. Tutor and peer feedback will be provided on draft story structures, delivery style and audience engagement to support development prior to the final submission.

Assessment 2: Group Innovation Report

Format: Report

You will produce a structured group report outlining the development of their venture concept. While the report will receive a group grade, individual engagement and contribution to the project may also inform the final assessment outcome.

The report should include:

Opportunity identification and problem definition

Application of innovation tools and creative development processes

Design rationale for the proposed product or service

Target market analysis

Operational and logistical considerations

Feasibility analysis and financial projections

Embedded Formative Assessment

You will receive formative feedback on draft venture concepts, innovation canvases and research findings through workshops and tutor-led review sessions. These activities will support the refinement of the final report.

The module explicitly supports self-employment, freelancing and venture start-up pathways, equipping students with the creative, analytical and communication skills required for entrepreneurial careers.

Entrepreneurship and new venture creation

Innovation and creative problem-solving

Opportunity recognition and customer insight

Business models and value propositions

Storytelling for entrepreneurial communication

Risk, safety and resilience

Branding, narrative and experience journeys

Pitching and persuasion

Teamwork and creative leadership

Reflection and venture readiness

Employability, Enterprise and Professional Practice

This module is explicitly designed to support employability through enterprise, entrepreneurship and self-employment pathways. Students develop practical skills in opportunity recognition, innovation, pitching, teamwork and professional communication. Group-based venture development and pitching mirror contemporary entrepreneurial practice, supporting readiness for start-up, freelancing and innovation-focused roles.

Simulation

Simulation is embedded through experiential, practice-based learning that replicates real-world venture creation processes. Students work collaboratively to conceive, develop and communicate a venture concept, engaging in pitching, innovation canvases and feasibility planning that reflect authentic entrepreneurial environments.

Academic, Digital and Research Skills

The module develops academic and research skills through market exploration, customer insight and innovation analysis. Digital skills are enhanced through storytelling techniques, pitch delivery and the use of visual and presentation tools to communicate venture ideas professionally and persuasively.

Experience

This module aligns with the Experience principle of the Employability Framework by immersing students in applied entrepreneurial practice. Through venture ideation, collaborative development, professional pitching and reflective evaluation, students gain hands-on experience of the skills, behaviours and decision-making associated with enterprise, innovation and self-employment.

In this module, you will explore new venture creation within a business and management context, focusing on innovation, opportunity development and effective communication. You will work collaboratively to develop and pitch a viable business concept, applying analytical tools, market insight and entrepreneurial thinking to real-world challenges. Through practical workshops and applied learning, you will develop professional communication, teamwork, problem-solving and reflective skills that support employability and enterprise across a range of business careers.

The learning strategy for this module is based around students committing a total of 300 hours of activities towards achieving the learning outcomes. These will be split between 72 hours of direct contact with a tutor and 228 hours of directed, guided and self-study, together with preparation for and completion of the assessment tasks. Learning support material will be provided for the module.

The module will draw upon a mixture of activities including lectures, web-based activities, case study analysis, relevant videos and in-class discussions, individual and group problem solving and self-directed learning.

In addition to formal teaching, the module emphasises collaborative learning through group discussions and workshops.

Self-directed learning plays a crucial role in the module, with students encouraged to explore extensive online resources, digital libraries, and the module’s Blackboard system. This independent study component fosters digital literacy and research proficiency, allowing students to consolidate their learning at their own pace while preparing for assessments.

Osterwalder, A., Pigneur, Y., Bernarda, G. and Smith, A. (2020) The Invincible Company. Hoboken: Wiley.

Ries, E. (2023) The Lean Startup: Updated and Expanded Edition. London: Penguin.

Thiel, P. and Masters, B. (2020) Zero to One: Notes on Start Ups, or How to Build the Future (Updated ed.). London: Virgin Books.

Denning, S. (2022) The Age of Agile: How Smart Companies Are Transforming the Way Work Gets Done. New York: AMACOM.

Fog, K., Budtz, C. and Yakaboylu, B. (2020) Storytelling: Branding in Practice (2nd ed.). Berlin: Springer.

The following resources support learning, research and assessment on this module and provide access to key academic, digital and professional tools used in business and management contexts.

Blackboard virtual learning environment for access to module materials, assessment submission and feedback.

Staffordshire University Library Search for access to core textbooks and eBooks.

Business intelligence and market research databases including Statista, IBISWorld and Mintel.

Microsoft 365 (Teams, Word, PowerPoint, OneDrive) for collaboration, research and assessment preparation.