NEE011

Business Sustainability

Directorate for Entrepreneurship and General Studies (DE&GS)
26 pages
4 units

This course explores the essential elements of grant acquisition for start-up businesses and research commercialization. It covers skills required for winning grants, grant sourcing, and application procedures. The course also delves into idea presentation, pitching skills, and research commercialization. Students will learn to identify funding opportunities, craft compelling proposals, and effectively communicate their business ideas to secure grants.

Start reading

About this course

Difficulty: Intermediate
Study hours: 48 hours
Maths: None
Content: Theoretical, practical, case study
Practical work: Yes

How it is assessed

Assignments
Self assessment exercises
Final examination

What you'll read

The real module and unit structure of NEE011, taken from the course material NOUN publishes.

Module 1

One paragraph, so you can see how it reads

NEE011 · UNIT 1: SKILLS REQUIRED IN WINNING A GRANT

Entrepreneurs aiming to be competitive grant applicants must possess a unique set of skills and qualities that set them apart in the highly competitive world of grant funding.

Start reading Get the original PDF, if you want it

What you should be able to do

Communicate business ideas effectively for impactful grant applications.
Execute grant-funded projects with excellence through proficient project management.
Identify suitable grants through targeted research and networking.
Apply for grants effectively by understanding guidelines and crafting compelling proposals.
Develop clear and persuasive communication skills to effectively articulate business proposals.

What it prepares you for

Careers

Business Development Manager
Grant Writer
Research and Development Manager
Entrepreneur
Project Manager

Where it is applied

Start-up Businesses
Research Institutions
Non-profit Organizations
Government Agencies
Technology Transfer Offices

Where it gets hard

The units students slow down on, and what makes each one heavy.

Module 1: Winning Grants for Start-Up Businesses and Research Commercialization
Unit 2: Grant Sourcing and Application Procedure
Requires understanding of various funding sources and eligibility criteria.
Module 1: Winning Grants for Start-Up Businesses and Research Commercialization
Unit 3: Idea Presentation and Pitching Skills
Requires crafting a compelling narrative and adapting to different audience needs.

A suggested way through it

Suggested

13 weeks, about 27 hours in total. Yours will differ.

Week 1Module 1: Winning Grants for Start-Up Businesses and Research Commercialization
- Unit 1: Skills Required in Winning a Grant · 2 hours
  Understand the importance of effective communication skills in grant applications.. Assess your ability to articulate business ideas clearly and persuasively.. Evaluate your commitment to grant objectives and goals..
Week 2Module 1: Winning Grants for Start-Up Businesses and Research Commercialization
- Unit 2: Grant Sourcing and Application Procedure · 2 hours
  Research online resources and databases to identify grants aligned with your business idea.. Network with professionals and industry groups to discover grant options.. Explore government websites and economic development offices for public grant opportunities..
Week 3Module 1: Winning Grants for Start-Up Businesses and Research Commercialization
- Unit 3: Idea Presentation and Pitching Skills · 2 hours
  Understand your audience and tailor your presentation to their interests.. Craft a concise and engaging elevator pitch to introduce your business idea.. Define the problem your business addresses and present your unique solution..
Week 4Module 1: Winning Grants for Start-Up Businesses and Research Commercialization
- Unit 4: Research Commercialisation · 3 hours
  Understand the stages of the research commercialization process: idea generation, IP protection, market research, business planning, and product development.. Protect your intellectual property rights through patents, copyrights, or trademarks to secure the innovation.. Evaluate the commercial potential of your idea by understanding the market, customer needs, and competition..
Week 5Module 1: Winning Grants for Start-Up Businesses and Research Commercialization
- Unit 1: Skills Required in Winning a Grant · 2 hours
  Review the skills required in winning a grant.. Practice articulating your business idea effectively.. Assess your project management abilities..
Week 6Module 1: Winning Grants for Start-Up Businesses and Research Commercialization
- Unit 2: Grant Sourcing and Application Procedure · 2 hours
  Review the grant sourcing and application procedures.. Identify potential grant opportunities.. Practice preparing necessary documents for grant applications..
Week 7Module 1: Winning Grants for Start-Up Businesses and Research Commercialization
- Unit 3: Idea Presentation and Pitching Skills · 2 hours
  Review the key steps in presenting your business idea.. Practice delivering an engaging elevator pitch.. Refine your problem-solution framework..
Week 8Module 1: Winning Grants for Start-Up Businesses and Research Commercialization
- Unit 4: Research Commercialisation · 2 hours
  Review the research commercialization process.. Understand the different research commercialization models.. Identify key linkages in research commercialization..
Week 9Module 1: Winning Grants for Start-Up Businesses and Research Commercialization
- Unit 1: Skills Required in Winning a Grant · 2 hours
  Practice writing a compelling grant proposal.. Review the key components of a successful proposal.. Seek feedback on your proposal from peers or mentors..
Week 10Module 1: Winning Grants for Start-Up Businesses and Research Commercialization
- Unit 2: Grant Sourcing and Application Procedure · 2 hours
  Review the steps to identify suitable grants.. Practice crafting a persuasive grant proposal.. Understand the objectives of potential funders..
Week 11Module 1: Winning Grants for Start-Up Businesses and Research Commercialization
- Unit 3: Idea Presentation and Pitching Skills · 2 hours
  Review the essential pitching skills.. Practice clear communication and storytelling.. Develop confidence in your presentation..
Week 12Module 1: Winning Grants for Start-Up Businesses and Research Commercialization
- Unit 4: Research Commercialisation · 2 hours
  Review the research commercialization models.. Understand the linkages in research commercialization.. Practice writing a proposal for research commercialization..
Week 13Module 1: Winning Grants for Start-Up Businesses and Research Commercialization
- Final Revision · 2 hours
  Consolidate learning from all units.. Prepare for assignments and assessments.. Review key concepts and strategies..

Preparing for the exam

What to do

Review all unit learning outcomes and ensure you can meet each one.
Practice writing concise summaries of key concepts from each unit.
Create a detailed outline of the grant application process from Unit 2.
Prepare and practice your elevator pitch for different audiences as covered in Unit 3.
Study the research commercialization models and their applications from Unit 4.

Questions students ask about this course

What is NEE011 about?

How many units does NEE011 have?

NEE011, Business Sustainability, has 4 units across 1 module, over 26 pages of course material. You can read it one unit at a time.

Is NEE011 hard?

NEE011 is rated intermediate level, with no mathematical content. It is mostly theoretical, practical and case study work, and it has a practical component.

How long does NEE011 take to study?

About 48 hours of study, spread across its 4 units.

How is NEE011 assessed?

NEE011 is assessed by assignments, self assessment exercises and final examination.

What can I do with NEE011?

Business Development Manager, Grant Writer, Research and Development Manager, Entrepreneur and Project Manager.