Outline

Overview

In this unit, students will take their emergent ventures through the Incubate start-up accelerator program, and provide assessable outputs meeting 4000 level requirements. The Incubate start-up accelerator is a program that supports entrepreneurs of early stage, growth-driven companies through guidance, mentoring and peer support to develop self-sufficient ventures. In weekly face-to-face workshops and tutorials, participants will learn the ethos, principles, and methods of agile project management. At the end of the thirteen-week program, students pitch their start-up business on Demo Day.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Strategy, Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Credit points	24
Prerequisites ?	Students must meet the entry requirements for the Bachelor of Advanced Studies (Advanced Coursework), including completion of a pass undergraduate degree, BUSS4907 or SIEN1000 and BUSS4908 or SIEN1001
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	No

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Sandris Zeivots, sandris.zeivots@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 1 September 2025

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length	Use of AI
Written work	Financial model Financial statements and justifications	20%	Week 04 Due date: 25 Aug 2025 at 17:00 Closing date: 04 Sep 2025	1000 words	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Portfolio or journal	Compilation of weekly reflections (Part 1) Part one only	10%	Week 07 Due date: 17 Sep 2025 at 17:00 Closing date: 27 Sep 2025	300-500 words each week (Weeks 1-6)	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Portfolio or journal	Data room You will build and populate a 'data room'--a secure space where confidentia	20%	Week 10 Due date: 13 Oct 2025 at 17:00 Closing date: 23 Oct 2025	10 core documents	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
In-person practical, skills, or performance task or test	Demo day prep and pitch Two practice pitch sessions before a panel	20%	Week 12 Due date: 31 Oct 2025 at 17:00 Closing date: 07 Nov 2025	Two 5-minute presentations	AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed:
Written work	Business plan and projections You will prepare a business plan for your venture	20%	Week 12 Due date: 27 Oct 2025 at 17:00 Closing date: 03 Nov 2025	2500 words	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Portfolio or journal	Compilation of weekly reflections (Part 2) Part two only	10%	Week 13 Due date: 05 Nov 2025 at 17:00 Closing date: 15 Nov 2025	300-500 words each week (Weeks 7-12)	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:

Assessment summary

Assignment 1: Financial model

Worth: 20%
Individual/Group: Individual
Due: 25/08/2025 @ 17:00
Length: 1000 words
Learning outcomes: LO1, LO2, LO6

A financial model represents in numbers a company’s operation in the past, present and forecasted future. You will develop an income statement, cash flow statement, and balance sheet, including written justification for your company.

Assignment 2: Data room

Worth: 20%
Individual/Group: Individual
Due: 13/10/2025 @ 17:00
Length: 10 core documents

Learning outcomes: LO1, LO2, LO5, LO6

You will build and populate a 'data room'--a secure space where confidential documents can be kept and only read by people authorized to access them. This will include company organizational documents, pitch deck, articles of incorporation, ESOP, term sheets, cap table, financial information, marketing information, pitch videos and other legal documents.

Assignment 3: Business plan & projections

Worth: 20%
Individual/Group: Individual
Due: 27/10/2025 @ 17:00
Length: 2500 words

Learning outcomes: LO1, LO2, LO5, LO6

You will prepare a business plan for your venture drawing on your past, present and goals for the future. Your projections document should build on your financial statements and project into the future, which will support any efforts to raise capital. This assessment will build on what you have learned throughout the unit of study.

Assignment 4: Demo Day prep & pitch

Worth: 20%
Individual/Group: Individual
Due: 31/10/2025 @ 17:00
Length: Two 5-minute presentations
Learning outcomes: LO3, LO4

You will prepare and deliver two 5-minute presentations in advance of Demo Day, each of which will be assessed.

Presentation 1: A judging panel will score your first practice pitch (5%) (24/10/2025)

Presentation 2: You will deliver a first 5-minute pitch presentation to a Shark Tank-style panel to further prepare you for Demo Day (15%) (31/10/2025)

Assignment 5: Compilation of weekly reflections

Worth: 20%
Individual/Group: Individual
Due: Weekly
Length: 300-500 words each week

Learning outcomes: LO3, LO4

You will prepare weekly reflections to capture your learning throughout the unit of study. These will be assessed at two points: mid-way and at the end of the unit.

Part 1: Weekly reflection – You will write about your Wins, Loss, Roadblocks, Insights & Asks, including reflections on interaction with mentors and ecosystem members. These will be discussed each week in tutorials. Part 1 is based on Weeks 1-6 and will be due 17/09/2025 @ 17:00. (10%).

Part 2: Weekly reflection - You will write about your Wins, Loss, Roadblocks, Insights & Asks, including reflections on interaction with mentors and ecosystem members. These will be discussed each week in tutorials. Part 2 is based on Weeks 7-12 and will be due 5/11/2025 @ 17:00. (10%).

Assessment criteria

Result name	Mark range	Description
High distinction	85 - 100	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an exceptional standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.
Distinction	75 - 84	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a very high standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.
Credit	65 - 74	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a good standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.
Pass	50 - 64	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a good standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty of school.
Fail	0 - 49	When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see guide to grades.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

You can use generative AI tools for open assessments. Restrictions on AI use apply to secure, supervised assessments used to confirm if students have met specific learning outcomes.

Refer to the assessment table above to see if AI is allowed, for assessments in this unit and check Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks and AI use.

If you use AI, you must always acknowledge it. Misusing AI may lead to a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The University expects students to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

Our website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. This includes advice on how to avoid common breaches of academic integrity. Ensure that you have completed the Academic Honesty Education Module (AHEM) which is mandatory for all commencing coursework students

Penalties for serious breaches can significantly impact your studies and your career after graduation. It is important that you speak with your unit coordinator if you need help with completing assessments.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	Welcome & Financial modelling	Lecture and tutorial (8 hr)
Week 02	Sales (Part 1)	Lecture and tutorial (8 hr)
Week 03	Sales (Part 2)	Lecture and tutorial (8 hr)
Week 04	Hear the sizzle and headshots	Lecture and tutorial (8 hr)
Week 05	Brand	Lecture and tutorial (8 hr)
Week 06	Product development	Lecture and tutorial (8 hr)
Week 07	Legals	Lecture and tutorial (8 hr)
Week 08	Pivot week and investment deep dive	Lecture and tutorial (8 hr)
Week 09	Getting ready to raise	Lecture and tutorial (8 hr)
Week 10	Due diligence and data room	Lecture and tutorial (8 hr)
Week 11	Pitch practice (script & theatre)	Lecture and tutorial (8 hr)
Week 12	Pitch practice (visuals)	Lecture and tutorial (8 hr)
Week 13	Demo day final preparation	Lecture and tutorial (8 hr)

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 24 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 480-600 hours of student effort in total.

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. Develop an effective go-to-market strategy for a startup enterprise
LO2. Evaluate and defend opinion on the financial viability of a startup enterprise
LO3. Articulate a compelling market value proposition of a startup enterprise to diverse audiences through a variety of methods
LO4. Identify key actors of the entrepreneurial ecosystem, understand their roles, and effectively engage with them to leverage opportunities and overcome challenges
LO5. Formulate an intellectual property position for a startup enterprise
LO6. Differentiate between domestic and international approaches in formulating a startup growth strategy

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

This unit was run for the first time in Sem 2 2024 with 1 student. This is the second time the unit is taught.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

BUSS4909: Startup Project

Semester 2, 2025 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links