About this course: This course builds on previous concepts and outlines strategies and tactics for forming, financing and launching a new venture. Topics to be addressed will include building the new venture’s initial management team, identifying and reaching out to early customers, developing financial plans, raising startup and initial growth financing, and preparing for and managing rapid growth. Course objectives: Entrepreneurial Team Building: Develop an understanding of the what is required in a new venture Initial Go-to-Market Strategy: Develop a plan to identify and approach your first customers Financial Forecasting: Building financial projections for the new venture Entrepreneurial Financing: Raising Equity Capital for the new venture Growing the Business: Monitoring the new venture’s health and scalability
Who is this class for: This course is of value to both aspiring and practicing entrepreneurs as well as employees in established firms who are interested in becoming innovative leaders in today's interconnected world.
Earn credit toward a master's degree
This course is part of the fully-online accredited Master of Business Administration (iMBA) from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
Created by: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Taught by: Thomas E. Parkinson, Visiting Professor
University of Illinois College of Business
| Basic Info | Course 6 of 7 in the Innovation: From Creativity to Entrepreneurship Specialization |
| Language | English |
| How To Pass | Pass all graded assignments to complete the course. |
Syllabus
WEEK 1
Course Orientation
You will become familiar with the course, your classmates, and our learning environment. The orientation will also help you obtain the technical skills required for the course.
1 video, 4 readings, 1 practice quiz
- Video: Meet Professor Parkinson
- Reading: Syllabus
- Reading: About the Discussion Forums
- Practice Quiz: Orientation Quiz
- Reading: Updating Your Profile
- Discussion Prompt: Getting to Know Your Classmates
- Reading: Social Media
Module 1: Laying the Foundation
This module discusses the initial steps involved in launching a business to pursue an entrepreneurial opportunity – building the startup’s initial management team and identifying its initial customers. It also includes how entrepreneurs go about presenting the opportunity to potential investors. It includes interviews with the founders of Amber Agriculture and The Graide Network, two startups that have raised initial capital and that are demonstrating initial market traction.
6 videos, 2 readings, 3 practice quizzes
- Reading: Module 1 Overview
- Reading: Module 1 Readings and Resources
- Video: Team Building
- Practice Quiz: Module 1 Lesson 1 Practice Quiz
- Video: Going to Market: Initial Customers
- Practice Quiz: Module 1 Lesson 2 Practice Quiz
- Video: Investor Presentations
- Video: Interview with Lucas Frye
- Practice Quiz: Module 1 Lesson 3 Practice Quiz
- Video: Interview with Blair Pircon
- Video: Like this course? Learn more with the iMBA! (Optional)
Graded: Module 1 Graded Quiz
Graded: Module 1 Assignment
WEEK 2
Module 2: Financial Planning
This module focuses on laying the financial foundation for a new startup company. It starts with discussions of revenue models and pricing strategies for bringing new products or services to the market, and continues with lessons on preparing and presenting financial projections.
4 videos, 2 readings, 3 practice quizzes
- Reading: Module 2 Overview
- Reading: Module 2 Readings and Resources
- Video: Revenue Models
- Practice Quiz: Module 2 Lesson 1 Practice Quiz
- Video: Pricing Strategies
- Practice Quiz: Module 2 Lesson 2 Practice Quiz
- Video: Projections: Financial Projections
- Video: Projections: Presenting Financial Forecasts
- Practice Quiz: Module 2 Lesson 3 Practice Quiz
Graded: Module 2 Graded Quiz
WEEK 3
Module 3: Getting Funded
This module is all about raising startup financing. We will discuss both the reasons why startups typically need outside cash, and the appropriate sources and uses of startup financing. We will discuss how entrepreneurs can reach out to and negotiate with angel investors and venture capital firms. We will also discuss crowdfunding options for startups. Finally, we will examine the most important terms and conditions involved in equity investments.
6 videos, 2 readings, 4 practice quizzes
- Reading: Module 3 Overview
- Reading: Module 3 Readings and Resources
- Video: Startup Financing
- Practice Quiz: Module 3 Lesson 1 Practice Quiz
- Video: Equity Investors
- Practice Quiz: Module 3 Lesson 2 Practice Quiz
- Video: Crowdfunding
- Video: Interview with Dave Cohen, Petronics
- Practice Quiz: Module 3 Lesson 3 Practice Quiz
- Video: Structuring the Deal: Valuation
- Video: Structuring the Deal: Term Sheets and Negotiations
- Practice Quiz: Module 3 Lesson 4 Practice Quiz
Graded: Module 3 Graded Quiz
Graded: Module 3 Assignment
WEEK 4
Module 4: Growth and Next Steps
In this final module we will be focused on post-startup issues – growth management, pivoting, and the hard decisions that must be made if the new venture is not successful. It includes interviews with two entrepreneurs who are executing on fast-growth strategies, and dealing with challenges while positioning their companies for success.
5 videos, 2 readings, 3 practice quizzes
- Reading: Module 4 Overview
- Reading: Module 4 Readings and Resources
- Video: Growth Metrics
- Video: Interview with Dan Klein, Tiesta Tea
- Video: Interview with Steven Farag, Campus Sportswear
- Practice Quiz: Module 4 Lesson 1 Practice Quiz
- Video: Pivots
- Practice Quiz: Module 4 Lesson 2 Practice Quiz
- Video: Failing Well
- Practice Quiz: Module 4 Lesson 3 Practice Quiz
Graded: Module 4 Graded Quiz
FAQs
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Coursework
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University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is a world leader in research, teaching and public engagement, distinguished by the breadth of its programs, broad academic excellence, and internationally renowned faculty and alumni. Illinois serves the world by creating knowledge, preparing students for lives of impact, and finding solutions to critical societal needs.
Pricing
| Audit | Purchase Course | |
|---|---|---|
| Access to course materials | Available | Available |
| Access to graded materials | Not available | Available |
| Receive a final grade | Not available | Available |
| Earn a shareable Course Certificate | Not available | Available |
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