ICTQual AB Level 6 International Diploma in Entrepreneurship and Startups

Upon successful completion of the ICTQual AB Level 6 International Diploma in Entrepreneurship and Startups, learners will be able to:

Year 1 – Foundation in Entrepreneurship and Startups

Introduction to Entrepreneurship

• Understand the fundamentals of entrepreneurship and its role in economic growth.
• Identify opportunities for innovative business ventures and startup ideas.
• Develop skills to create viable business models and strategic plans.
• Analyse entrepreneurial challenges and solutions in real-world contexts.
• Apply critical thinking to evaluate startup feasibility and market potential.

Business Environment and Market Analysis

• Examine external and internal business environments impacting startups.
• Conduct market research and competitor analysis to inform strategic decisions.
• Identify trends and opportunities for business growth.
• Apply SWOT and PESTLE analysis for informed business planning.
• Develop actionable strategies to enter and compete in target markets.

Principles of Management and Leadership

• Understand management theories and leadership styles relevant to startups.
• Develop decision-making and problem-solving skills in entrepreneurial contexts.
• Analyse organisational structures and their impact on business performance.
• Apply leadership techniques to motivate teams and manage resources.
• Enhance skills in strategic planning and operational management.

Fundamentals of Finance for Startups

• Understand key financial concepts including budgeting, cash flow, and capital.
• Analyse startup financial statements and performance metrics.
• Apply financial planning to support sustainable business operations.
• Develop skills to manage resources efficiently and make investment decisions.
• Evaluate funding options and financial risk for new ventures.

Marketing and Brand Development

• Understand marketing principles and their application to startups.
• Develop brand identity and positioning strategies for new businesses.
• Apply marketing research to target customer segments effectively.
• Analyse digital marketing channels and campaigns.
• Enhance skills in promoting products and building customer loyalty.

Business Communication and Negotiation Skills

• Develop effective verbal, written, and digital communication skills.
• Apply negotiation techniques in business partnerships and stakeholder interactions.
• Prepare professional business documents and presentations.
• Build interpersonal and networking skills for entrepreneurial success.
• Enhance conflict resolution and persuasion skills in startup contexts.

Organisational Behaviour and Culture

• Understand the dynamics of individual and team behaviour in startups.
• Analyse organisational culture and its impact on performance.
• Apply motivational theories to manage and engage teams effectively.
• Evaluate leadership strategies to enhance workplace collaboration.
• Develop skills to create a positive and productive organisational environment.

Introduction to Business Law and Ethics

• Understand legal frameworks affecting startups and small businesses.
• Apply ethical principles to entrepreneurial decision-making.
• Evaluate regulatory compliance and risk mitigation strategies.
• Analyse case studies of legal and ethical challenges in business.
• Develop strategies to ensure responsible and lawful business practices.

Digital Tools and Technology in Business

• Explore digital technologies and tools to enhance startup operations.
• Apply software and digital platforms for business management and analytics.
• Analyse the impact of technology on efficiency, innovation, and growth.
• Develop skills to implement digital solutions in real-world scenarios.
• Evaluate emerging technologies to support competitive advantage.

Creative Thinking and Innovation

• Develop creative problem-solving and innovative thinking skills.
• Apply ideation techniques to generate unique business solutions.
• Analyse innovation processes in product and service development.
• Evaluate the feasibility and scalability of innovative ideas.
• Enhance ability to transform creative concepts into actionable business plans.

Research Methods for Business

• Understand research methodologies applicable to entrepreneurship and startups.
• Collect, analyse, and interpret business data for informed decision-making.
• Apply quantitative and qualitative research techniques to business problems.
• Develop professional reporting and presentation skills for research findings.
• Use research insights to support strategic business planning.

Professional Ethics and Corporate Responsibility Accounting

• Understand principles of corporate social responsibility (CSR) in startups.
• Apply ethical decision-making to business operations and stakeholder relations.
• Evaluate social, environmental, and governance impacts of business activities.
• Develop strategies to implement sustainable and responsible business practices.
• Promote ethical leadership and integrity in entrepreneurial ventures.

Year 2 – Intermediate Entrepreneurship and Startups

Strategic Business Planning

• Develop comprehensive business plans aligned with market opportunities.
• Apply strategic frameworks to analyse business goals and objectives.
• Conduct feasibility studies and financial projections for startups.
• Develop implementation strategies to achieve business success.
• Evaluate risks and plan mitigation strategies for business growth.

Financial Management and Investment Analysis

• Understand advanced financial concepts including investment appraisal and capital budgeting.
• Analyse financial statements to inform strategic business decisions.
• Evaluate funding options and investor requirements for startups.
• Apply techniques for resource allocation and cost control.
• Develop skills to optimise financial performance and business valuation.

Operations and Supply Chain Management

• Understand operational strategies and processes in startups.
• Analyse supply chain efficiency and resource optimisation.
• Apply lean and agile methodologies to enhance operational performance.
• Evaluate production, logistics, and inventory management strategies.
• Develop skills to improve service delivery and operational scalability.

Human Resource Management in Startups

• Understand HR principles and their application in entrepreneurial ventures.
• Develop talent acquisition, retention, and performance management strategies.
• Apply leadership and motivation techniques to engage employees.
• Analyse workforce needs and organisational development requirements.
• Build skills to create effective, high-performing startup teams.

Advanced Marketing and Sales Strategies

• Develop strategic marketing plans to grow customer base and revenue.
• Analyse market trends, consumer behaviour, and competitive positioning.
• Apply digital and social media marketing techniques effectively.
• Evaluate sales strategies and customer relationship management (CRM) tools.
• Enhance ability to execute marketing campaigns that drive business growth.

Risk Management and Legal Compliance

• Understand risk types and management strategies in startups.
• Analyse legal requirements for business operations and compliance.
• Develop risk mitigation plans for financial, operational, and strategic challenges.
• Apply governance and regulatory frameworks to business activities.
• Build skills to anticipate, assess, and respond to business risks.

Leadership and Team Development

• Apply leadership principles to manage teams in entrepreneurial settings.
• Develop coaching, mentoring, and motivational strategies.
• Analyse team dynamics and foster collaboration.
• Enhance decision-making and problem-solving skills in leadership roles.
• Build skills to lead startup teams through growth and change.

Product Development and Innovation Management

• Understand product lifecycle and innovation management processes.
• Analyse customer needs to design marketable products and services.
• Apply strategies for prototype development and product testing.
• Evaluate innovation metrics and commercial viability of products.
• Develop skills to manage innovation projects and new product launches.

Business Analytics and Decision-Making

• Use analytical tools to interpret data for strategic business decisions.
• Apply quantitative and qualitative methods to evaluate business performance.
• Develop forecasting and predictive analytics skills.
• Analyse metrics to optimise operations, marketing, and financial strategies.
• Enhance data-driven decision-making in entrepreneurial ventures.

Entrepreneurship in International Markets

• Understand global business environments and cross-border opportunities.
• Analyse international market entry strategies for startups.
• Apply global trade, finance, and cultural considerations to business planning.
• Develop strategies for expanding entrepreneurial ventures internationally.
• Evaluate risks and challenges in global entrepreneurship.

Project Management for Startups

• Understand project management principles and methodologies.
• Develop project plans, timelines, and resource allocation strategies.
• Apply risk management and quality control techniques in projects.
• Analyse project performance and implement corrective actions.
• Build skills to manage multiple startup initiatives effectively.

Professional Development and Reflective Practice

• Develop reflective skills to assess personal and professional growth.
• Apply continuous learning strategies to enhance entrepreneurial competencies.
• Analyse strengths and areas for improvement in business practice.
• Build skills in self-management, goal-setting, and career planning.
• Enhance professional confidence and readiness for leadership roles.

Year 3 – Advanced Entrepreneurship and Startups

Venture Creation and Business Model Design

• Design scalable and sustainable business models for startups.
• Apply strategic planning to launch new ventures successfully.
• Analyse market needs, resources, and competitive positioning.
• Develop actionable plans for venture execution and growth.
• Enhance entrepreneurial problem-solving and innovation skills.

Fundraising and Venture Capital Strategies

• Understand funding sources including venture capital, angel investors, and crowdfunding.
• Develop investor pitches and financial proposals.
• Analyse funding strategies to optimise startup capital.
• Apply valuation methods and investment appraisal techniques.
• Build skills to secure funding and manage investor relations effectively.

Strategic Growth and Scaling Techniques

• Develop strategies to scale startups sustainably and profitably.
• Analyse growth opportunities in domestic and international markets.
• Apply operations, marketing, and financial planning techniques for expansion.
• Evaluate risks and performance metrics during scaling.
• Build skills to manage organisational change and growth effectively.

Innovation and Technology Management

• Explore technological innovations that drive business success.
• Apply strategies for product, process, and service innovation.
• Analyse technology adoption and digital transformation in startups.
• Develop skills to manage R&D and implement innovative solutions.
• Enhance competitiveness through effective technology management.

Global Entrepreneurship and Trade

• Understand international trade regulations and global market trends.
• Analyse global entrepreneurial opportunities and cross-cultural business practices.
• Apply strategies for market entry, expansion, and international partnerships.
• Evaluate risks and compliance requirements in global entrepreneurship.
• Build skills to operate startups in international business environments.

Advanced Leadership and Organisational Change

• Apply advanced leadership theories to drive organisational success.
• Analyse change management strategies and organisational transformation.
• Develop skills in team motivation, conflict resolution, and strategic decision-making.
• Implement leadership practices to foster innovation and growth.
• Enhance ability to lead entrepreneurial ventures through complex changes.

Corporate Governance and Compliance in Startups

• Understand governance frameworks and regulatory compliance requirements.
• Apply principles of transparency, accountability, and ethical decision-making.
• Analyse internal control systems and risk management practices.
• Develop strategies for sustainable and responsible business operations.
• Build skills to ensure startups adhere to legal and corporate standards.

Strategic Marketing and Customer Experience

• Develop marketing strategies to enhance customer acquisition and retention.
• Analyse customer behaviour, feedback, and experience management.
• Apply digital marketing, social media, and branding strategies effectively.
• Evaluate marketing ROI and campaign performance.
• Build skills to deliver exceptional customer experiences.

Sustainability and Social Entrepreneurship

• Understand sustainable business practices and social entrepreneurship principles.
• Analyse environmental, social, and governance (ESG) impacts on startups.
• Apply strategies for creating social and economic value.
• Develop skills to implement responsible and ethical business practices.
• Enhance innovation in solving social and environmental challenges.

Advanced Financial Planning and Control

• Apply advanced financial strategies for budgeting, forecasting, and control.
• Analyse financial performance to inform strategic decisions.
• Evaluate investment opportunities and risk mitigation techniques.
• Develop skills to manage capital, cash flow, and financial sustainability.
• Build competencies in resource allocation and long-term financial planning.

Research and Evidence-Based Business Practice

• Conduct advanced research to inform entrepreneurial decision-making.
• Analyse data and apply evidence-based approaches to business strategy.
• Develop professional reporting and presentation skills.
• Apply research insights to improve startup performance and innovation.
• Build analytical skills to support strategic business planning.

Capstone Project in Entrepreneurship and Startups

• Integrate knowledge and skills from all units into a comprehensive project.
• Analyse real-world business challenges and propose strategic solutions.
• Develop business models, financial plans, and marketing strategies for startups.
• Apply project management and leadership skills to execute the venture plan.
• Demonstrate professional competence and readiness for global entrepreneurial opportunities.