Whether your interest lies in solving the world’s biggest problems, creating the next commercial success or addressing something closer to home, this course will give you a toolbox to vet your ideas and test them in the real world.
What’s Your Big Idea?
The University of North Carolina at Chapel HillAbout this Course
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Shareable Certificate
Earn a Certificate upon completion
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Flexible deadlines
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Approx. 12 hours to complete
English
Subtitles: English, Spanish
Shareable Certificate
Earn a Certificate upon completion
100% online
Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.
Flexible deadlines
Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.
Approx. 12 hours to complete
English
Subtitles: English, Spanish
Offered by
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the nation’s first public university, is known around the world for innovative teaching and research. Regularly ranked as the nation’s best value for academic quality, UNC has produced the most Rhodes Scholars for the past 25 years among U.S. public research universities.
Syllabus - What you will learn from this course
2 hours to complete
Think
We start at the beginning with your big idea and where it comes from: your everyday experience
2 hours to complete
8 videos (Total 57 min), 1 reading, 1 quiz
8 videos
The Unexpected9m
Incongruities8m
Process Need4m
Industry and Market Structures 6m
Demographics, Changes in Perception, and New Knowledge10m
Desh Deshpande: Introduction, Big Idea, and Advice to Himself 2m
Jud Bowman: Introduction, Entrepreneurial Traits, and Challenges4m
1 reading
Guest Entrepreneur Bios10m
1 practice exercise
Week 1 Quiz26m
2 hours to complete
Listen
This second phase of the entrepreneurial lifecycle encourages you to take the big idea you’ve
2 hours to complete
11 videos (Total 69 min)
11 videos
The Importance of the Listening Phase 7m
The Purpose of a Business2m
Setting Up Customer Meetings5m
Running Customer Meetings3m
Your Total Product 6m
Listening to Suppliers7m
Conclusion4m
Jud Bowman: Cold-calling and Listening for a Customer's Problem1m
Desh Deshpande: Talking to Customers6m
Shazi Visram: Introduction and Listening to Customers19m
1 practice exercise
Week 2 Quiz26m
1 hour to complete
Plan
Strategy, the art and science of being different than your competition, is the next element we introduce,
1 hour to complete
10 videos (Total 43 min)
10 videos
What is Strategy?6m
Porter's Five Forces 5m
Bargaining Power of Buyers, Supplier Substitutes, and Rivalry4m
Conducting a SWOT Analysis7m
Strategic Positioning6m
Conclusion1m
Jud Bowman: Risk-Taking Behavior1m
Desh Deshpande: Planning Cascade Communications6m
Shazi Visram: Advice to Her Younger Self 1m
1 practice exercise
Week 3 Quiz24m
1 hour to complete
Clarify
In this module, we coach you on continuing to refine your big idea and beginning to
1 hour to complete
12 videos (Total 49 min)
12 videos
Creating Fit & a Business Model4m
Introducing the Business Model Canvas3m
Customer Segments2m
Channels6m
Revenue Streams4m
Key Partnerships4m
Your Elevator Pitch8m
Conclusion1m
Jud Bowman: Avoiding Crisis Mode2m
Desh Deshpande: What is a Successful Elevator Pitch?4m
Shazi Visram: Control in Her Venture2m
1 practice exercise
Week 4 Quiz22m
Reviews
TOP REVIEWS FROM WHAT’S YOUR BIG IDEA?
by ARAug 13, 2015
Definitely helpful. Highlights the most important points very quickly and succinctly. Would have wanted a little more detail and examples which is why I withhold the 5th star.
by PGApr 10, 2018
Very practical course with clear information to go from the idea to the launch of the business or project. Thanks for all that you gave us, it was very useful.
by AAOct 12, 2015
Good course, the ideas are organized , some many real example have been explained. I recommend this course for all people who have ideas in their minds.
by JNFeb 25, 2017
Anybody that has a big idea or wants to start a business, would benefit from this course. It's well presented and the content is spot on.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What will I get if I purchase the Certificate?
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What is the refund policy?
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