This course introduces participants to the conceptual foundations, behaviors and mindsets of entrepreneurship and innovation. The course provides the theoretical foundations and contexts within which innovations and new ventures contribute to economic activity and an introduction to the tools and frameworks used to identify new venture opportunities and potential innovations. It also provides an opportunity for participants to consider how entrepreneurship and innovation processes may impact their future careers. The course is delivered in the form of seminars supported by readings, cases, exercises and individual and team assignments.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. describe basic concepts underlying the domain of Entrepreneurship and Innovation
2. identify problems, challenges, needs, opportunities for the use of innovation in existing organisations and in new ventures
3. critique the tools and frameworks used in innovations and new ventures
4. evaluate ideas, relationships, resources and networks by engaging E&I 
5. integrate concepts and theories with real cases of E&I 
6. reflect on the personal significance of E&I in their future careers.

Research-Led Teaching

The content of this course builds upon scientific evidence, to the extent that research has utility for practice. The course aims to offer students an understanding of innovation and entrepreneurship processes by offering a variety of evidence-based tools and techniques for innovation and entrepreneurship management. The seminar content will present problems that will be explored using a variety of scholarly materials to foster critical thinking and applied learning.

Field Trips

There are no field trips in this course.

Additional Course Costs

There are no additional class costs expected in this course.

Examination Material or equipment

This course will not include a final exam assignment.

Required Resources

Weekly online pre-reading material will be provided through the Wattle course site.

Recommended Resources

A list of recommended reading will be provided through the Wattle course site and will be available online (except in limited circumstances where hardcopy only exists)

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:

• Written comments
• Verbal comments
• Feedback to the whole class, to groups, to individuals, focus groups

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). The feedback given in these surveys is anonymous and provides the Colleges, University Education Committee and Academic Board with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement. The Surveys and Evaluation website provides more information on student surveys at ANU and reports on the feedback provided on ANU courses.

Other Information

Support of students: The University offers a number of support services for students. Information on these is available online from http://students.anu.edu.au/studentlife/.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): Use of AI is rapidly growing in all sectors, particularly the use of Large Language Models, of which there are many proprietary brands. In this course, students may choose to use or to not use AI tools. In any case, where AI tools are used, the student must comply with the ANU Academic Integrity principles for the use of GenAI, as well as accurately cite and reference what tools were used, and advise in an appendix how they used the tool. The ANU provides further broad guidance in the ANU Gen AI LibGuide. As part of handling a potential breach of academic integrity, students are reminded that they may be requested to meet with the Convenor to discuss any assessment submission, including responding to questions on the content of submissions and on their understanding of the course concepts assessed by the submission.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Introduction to Entrepreneurship and InnovationThe seminar consists of lecture sessions, discussion questions, discussion of pre-readings, and in-class exercises.	The list of weekly pre-readings and case studies to be discussed in class will be announced on the Course Canvas Site in week 1.
2	Entrepreneurial Processes: A brief history of entrepreneurshipThe seminar consists of lecture sessions, discussion questions, discussion of pre-readings, and in-class exercises.
3	From Idea to Entrepreneurship and InnovationThe seminar consists of lecture sessions, discussion questions, discussion of pre-readings, and in-class exercises.
4	Innovation: Types and sources of innovationThe seminar consists of lecture sessions, discussion questions, discussion of pre-readings, and in-class exercises.
5	In-class Quiz	Assignment 1: In-class Quiz due 24 March
6	Business Models and Business Model InnovationThe seminar consists of lecture sessions, discussion questions, discussion of pre-readings, and in-class exercises.
7	Ecosystems and IP ManagementThe seminar consists of lecture sessions, discussion questions, discussion of pre-readings, and in-class exercises.
8	New Venture Pitch	Assignment 2: Pitch - written submissions due 28 AprilAssignment 2: Pitch  (if allocated to this week)
9	New Venture Pitch (Cont'd)	Assignment 2: Pitch (if allocated to this week)
10	Managing innovationThe seminar consists of lecture sessions, discussion questions, discussion of pre-readings, and in-class exercises.
11	Diversity, Entrepreneurship and InnovationThe seminar consists of lecture sessions, discussion questions, discussion of pre-readings, and in-class exercises.
12	Summary, wrap-up and simulation practice
13	NO TEACHING - End of semester examination period	Assignment 3: Practice simulation due 9 June

Tutorial Registration

Seminars consist of lecture sessions, discussion questions, discussion of pre-readings, and in-class exercises.

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Return of assessment	Learning Outcomes
Quiz (Individual - 20%)	20 %	24/03/2026	31/03/2026	1
Pitch (Group - 40%)	40 %	28/04/2026	12/05/2026	1,2,3,4,5,6
Simulation Essay (Individual - 40%)	40 %	09/06/2026	02/07/2026	1,2,3,4,5,6

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines, which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Misconduct Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Special Assessment Consideration Policy and General Information
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website Students may choose not to submit assessment items through Turnitin. In this instance you will be required to submit, alongside the assessment item itself, hard copies of all references included in the assessment item.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Participation

The are no participation requirements; however attendance at seminars is expected in line with "code of Practice for Teaching and Learning", clause 2 paragraph (b)

Examination(s)

There is no exam for this class.

Assessment Task 1

Quiz (Individual - 20%)

Weighting: 20%

Assessment type: Individual 

This assignment is an in-class quiz and will be conducted during class, closed book.

Duration: Approx. 1 hour, in-class 

Submission: Offline/Online mode. Further instructions and details will be provided on the course Canvas site and during the seminars in the lead up to the quiz week.

Submission date: The quiz will be provided in week 5, during class. Students need to attend class to gain access to the quiz.

Return of assessment: Students will receive their score by 31 March.

Late submissions: Late submissions cannot be accepted for this in-class quiz. 

Assessment Task 2

Pitch (Group - 40%)

Weighting: 40 %

Assessment type: Group

Step 1: Preparation

• This is a group assignment: Student Groups of a maximum of five (5) members
• Groups are asked to form themselves before or in the week 2 Seminar.
• Any remaining students will be placed in a group by the convenor in Week 2.
• You will need to work with your group throughout the weeks to develop your final presentation.
• Approx. 1 hour of the weekly sessions will be allocated to this group work and Q&A in selected weeks.

Step 2: Presentation 

On your selected day of presentation, you will need to identify an opportunity that can be exploited through the creation of a new venture. Pretend you are presenting this opportunity to a panel of investors. Drawing on the concepts discussed in class, you will provide an overview of the context and the size of the opportunity. You will provide your initial market entry idea and what adjustments you might make to scale up. You will need to identify the stakeholders and elements of the ecosystem that you will need/draw upon. Finally, you will need to present what you are offering to the potential investors. At least 2 members but a maximum of 3 members per group must present. If, for any reason (as per ANU’s policies), you cannot present, please contact the course convener at your earliest convenience.

Structure: While your presentation outline will depend on the industry of your choice, you could draw on some of the following areas by integrating components of the business model canvas:

• Introduction of your product/service/idea
• Opportunity and external analysis: including alternative solutions, major competitors, and the overall size of the market or industry
• Internal analysis: key resources, competitive advantage, and/or missing resources
• Business Model and financial viability (if applicable: your equity/investment exchange offer)

 Step 3: Executive Summary (supporting material to strengthen your pitch)

Submission of a 2000-word executive summary on the course Canvas site. You need to make sure your writing is coherent, cohesive and understandable to a reader (who does not know anything about the opportunity you are presenting). Make sure your writing is convincing, insightful, and presented professionally. 

Format and Submission

Component A: Pitch (in-class)

• Time: 5* minutes per group + ~3-5 minutes of Q&A. *Strict 5-minute presentation. Any content presented beyond 5 minutes will not be considered for marking. Presentations will be video recorded, which will enable later validation and verification of the assessment if required (in accordance with point 7 in the ANU Student Assessment (Coursework) policy). Presentation duration may be increased. If so, it will be announced in week 6.
• Slides design: Title of the pitch, photos of each team member with their name and student ID, and student responsibility; Assignment #/Title
• Formatting style: You can, but do not have to, use ANU templates. You can develop your own slides in a visually appealing manner. Clear and clean slides, use bullet points
• Referencing style: APA 7th. Please ensure you cite information and insights retrieved from secondary sources using APA 7th referencing guidelines.
• Contributions: Students must also include their team agreement form incl. their % of contribution, on the first or final slide.
• Minimum of 2 presenters, maximum of 3 presenters/group. Presenters will not respond during the Q&A session; all non-presenting group members will need to respond to audience questions in the Q&A session.
• Presentations: Each group presents during the seminar either in week 8 or week 9. This will be finalised and announced during the mid-semester break on the course Canvas site.
• Although you will be required to present in your assigned week, the slides for all presentations must be uploaded to the course Canvas site (one upload per group) by the same deadline.
• Effective presentation: You need to make sure your presentation is coherent, cohesive, and understandable to an audience that is not familiar with the opportunity you are presenting. Further information on effective presentations can be accessed at: https://www.anu.edu.au/students/academic-skills/writing-assessment/presentations.

Component B: Executive Summary

• A comprehensive new venture proposal, integrating the Lean Canvas Model/Business Model Canvas
• Word count: 2,000 words (+/- 10% tolerance) + Cover page. Word count does not include the reference list or appendices. NO penalty for going over the word count, although assignments over 2,200 words will not be read and marked.
• Formatting style: Arial or New Times Roman 12 pt, 1.5 spacing, 2.54 cm margins
• Referencing style: APA 7th. Please ensure you cite information and insights retrieved from secondary sources using APA 7th referencing guidelines.
• Cover page: Team Name; Group #; Student photo, names and student IDs, Date of submission, word count, Assignment #/Title
• Academic writing: You need to make sure your writing is coherent, cohesive, and understandable to a reader. Make sure your writing is convincing, insightful, and presented professionally. Further information on academic writing can be accessed at: https://www.anu.edu.au/students/academic-skills/writing-and-assessment.
• Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): See Other Information in Class Summary and course Canvas site for details.

Submission date: 

Executive summaries and slide decks: for all groups should be uploaded via the Canvas site by Friday, 24 April 2026, 23:59 AEST. 

Pitches: will take place during the Week 8 and 9 seminars.

Marking Criteria: A detailed rubric will be made available on Canvas two weeks prior to Week 1 of the semester.

Return of assessment: Verbal feedback will be given during the seminar, and marks will be provided within 10 working days.

Late submissions: No late submission is applicable for this assignment. If a member of the group is unable to participate in the pitch, students should make a decision as a group on who can present in lieu of the missing group member.

Please note: guidelines on group management will be provided on the course Canvas site.

Assessment Task 3

Simulation Essay (Individual - 40%)

Weighting: 40%

Assessment type: Individual

This is an individual assessment that focuses on disruptive innovation based on the simulation you did in class.

Step 1:

You need to play the Back Bay Battery simulation game, which Professor Christensen developed to demonstrate the dynamics of disruptive innovation. The link and details will be provided in class.

Step 2:

After you have played the simulation, you are required to reflect on your simulation experience. Please note that your success in the simulation will not influence your marks. However, you must draw on the concepts and theories covered in class in the weeks leading up to the simulation in your reflection essay.

Structure

What do you need to reflect on:

• Explain the strategic decisions you made and executed to successfully manage the company. What have you learned about managing innovation from this simulation and why?
• Critically evaluate your strategy, actions, and performance. Can you relate these challenges to the theory of disruptive innovation?
• Critical self-reflection and recommendations to improve effective practice.

Formatting

• Word count: 2,000 words (+/- 10% tolerance) + Cover page. Word count does not include the reference list or appendices. NO penalty for going over the word count, although assignments over 2,200 words will not be read and marked.
• Presentation: Arial or New Times Roman 12 pt, 1.5 spacing, 2.54 cm margins; Dot point ideas and suggestions are acceptable. Diagrams, models, and charts do not count toward the word count.
• Evidence: You MUST use screenshots from your simulation to support your reflection.
• Referencing style: APA 7th
• Cover page: Student name and student ID, Date of submission, word count, Assignment #/Title
• Academic writing: You need to make sure your writing is coherent, cohesive, and understandable to a reader. Make sure your writing is convincing, insightful, and presented professionally. Further information on reflective writing can be accessed at: https://www.anu.edu.au/students/academic-skills/writing-assessment/reflective-writing. Given that reflective writing is inherently personal, formal referencing is not required. However, if you draw on secondary sources, please cite them using APA 7th guidelines.
• Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): See Other Information in Class Summary and course Canvas site for details.

Submission date: Tuesday 09 June 2026, 23:59 AEST. Reflection essays should be uploaded via the course Canvas site.

Marking Criteria: A detailed rubric will be made available on Canvas two weeks prior to Week 1 of the semester.

Return of assessment: with the release of final grades.

Late submissions: If you are unable to submit on time, you should apply for an extension through ANUHub before the due date. A penalty of 5% per working day or part thereof will apply.

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of our culture as a community of scholars. At its heart, academic integrity is about behaving ethically. This means that all members of the community commit to honest and responsible scholarly practice and to upholding these values with respect and fairness. The Australian National University commits to embedding the values of academic integrity in our teaching and learning. We ensure that all members of our community understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. The ANU expects staff and students to uphold high standards of academic integrity and act ethically and honestly, to ensure the quality and value of the qualification that you will graduate with. The University has policies and procedures in place to promote academic integrity and manage academic misconduct. Visit the following Academic honesty & plagiarism website for more information about academic integrity and what the ANU considers academic misconduct. The ANU offers a number of services to assist students with their assignments, examinations, and other learning activities. The Academic Skills and Learning Centre offers a number of workshops and seminars that you may find useful for your studies.

Online Submission

The ANU uses Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.

Hardcopy Submission

For some forms of assessment (hand written assignments, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.

Late Submission

Individual assessment tasks may or may not allow for late submission. Policy regarding late submission is detailed below:

• Late submission not permitted. If submission of assessment tasks without an extension after the due date is not permitted, a mark of 0 will be awarded.
• Late submission permitted. Late submission of assessment tasks without an extension are penalised at the rate of 5% of the possible marks available per working day or part thereof. Late submission of assessment tasks is not accepted after 10 working days after the due date, or on or after the date specified in the course outline for the return of the assessment item. Late submission is not accepted for take-home examinations.

For selected assignments (Assessment Task 1 and Assessment Task 2), late submission is not permitted. Please refer to each assignment for further information.

All requests for Assessment Adjustment (including Requests for Extension and for Consideration of Extenuating Circumstances) should be submitted via ANUHub.

Referencing Requirements

Accepted academic practice for referencing sources that you use in presentations can be found via the links on the Wattle site, under the file named “ANU and College Policies, Program Information, Student Support Services and Assessment”. Alternatively, you can seek help through the Students Learning Development website.

Returning Assignments

See the descriptions of assessment tasks.

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure The Course Convener may grant extensions for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Resubmission of Assignments

Unless specified otherwise in the assignment requirements, resubmissions are permitted up until the due date and time, but not allowed afterwards.

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information. In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service — including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy. If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes. Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).

• ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
• ANU Access and inclusion for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
• ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
• ANU Academic Skills and Learning Centre supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling Centre promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents all ANU students