FINANCIAL STRATEGY IN ENTREPRENEURIAL CONTEXTS - 2027/8

Module Overview

This module provides students with specialist knowledge and skills in financial decision-making in the context of entrepreneurial ventures. Students will explore finance from the perspective of founders, early-stage enterprises and scaleups, integrating core financial theory with practical tools used to fund, evaluate and grow high-potential ventures. 

Key themes include understanding diverse financing options (from bootstrapping through to venture capital), financial planning, valuation of nascent and growth-stage business models, managing risk and uncertainty in entrepreneurial contexts. Emphasis is placed on applying financial thinking to real entrepreneurial scenarios and opportunities.

Module provider

Surrey Business School

Module Leader

MAHON Christopher (SBS)

Number of Credits: 15

ECTS Credits: 7.5

Framework: FHEQ Level 7

Module cap (Maximum number of students): N/A

Module Availability

Semester 2

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

None

Module content

Indicative module content includes: 

• The role of finance in entrepreneurial ecosystems 
• Funding lifecycle for ventures 
• Start-up valuation methods 
• Managing risk and uncertainty in venture finance 
• Investment term sheets and negotiation basics

Assessment pattern

Alternative Assessment

Individual recorded video presentation.

Assessment Strategy

The assessment strategy is designed to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate their understanding of financial decision-making in the context of entrepreneurial ventures and to apply it for business decision-making.

Thus, the summative assessment for this module consists of:
¿ Group Presentation
¿ Individual Report

Formative assessment
Students will receive individual and group feedback during the module from teaching staff which they are expected to use to improve their work for assignments.

Feedback
Students will receive formative feedback verbally in lecture or seminar while they will also receive written feedback for an assignment which can be used to inform further summative assessments

Module aims

• Develop students¿ understanding of financial principles and decision-making in entrepreneurial contexts, particularly for new and growing ventures.
• Enable students to evaluate and select appropriate sources of finance for ventures at different stages of development.
• Develop practical financial skills to support venture planning, funding and early-stage growth.

Learning outcomes

Methods of Teaching / Learning

The learning and teaching strategy is designed to provide a comprehensive theoretical understanding of the key concepts, approaches and methods, accompanied by practical application of the knowledge in a real-world context. The learning will be developed from lectures, group discussions and workshop activities, including guest speakers. In addition to academic literature and case studies, the module will make use of online resources. 

The learning and teaching methods include: 

• Lectures, seminars, class discussions and debates. 
• Group project and activities
• Multimedia resources e.g. audio podcasts (used both in class and as part of guided learning)
• Case study/class preparation 
• SurreyLearn VLE (used to support learning and teaching and communication with students) 
• Support materials 
• Reading and class preparation via directed learning and independent study 
• Individual work 
• Designated external resources to support skill development provided where deemed appropriate

In addition, those on the module teaching team are accessible throughout the semester to address and clarify questions.

Indicated Lecture Hours (which may also include seminars, tutorials, workshops and other contact time) are approximate and may include in-class tests where one or more of these are an assessment on the module. In-class tests are scheduled/organised separately to taught content and will be published on to student personal timetables, where they apply to taken modules, as soon as they are finalised by central administration. This will usually be after the initial publication of the teaching timetable for the relevant semester.

Reading list

https://readinglists.surrey.ac.uk
Upon accessing the reading list, please search for the module using the module code: MANM615

Other information

The MSc in Entrepreneurship and Innovation Management is committed to developing graduates with strengths in Employability, Digital Capabilities, Global and Cultural Capabilities, Sustainability, and Resourcefulness and Resilience. This module is designed to allow students to develop knowledge, skills, and capabilities in the following areas: 

Employability: students develop key digital and business skills which they can apply in a range of different business contexts. This is assessed in both assessments. 

Digital Capabilities: students develop an understanding and awareness of key digital skills which they apply in a business context. This is assessed in both assessments. 

Resourcefulness and Resilience: students work in groups on a project where they are expected to respond to challenges to find solutions which require creativity and an ability to adapt based on the business context. This is assessed in the group assessment.

Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2027/8 academic year.