Integrate the tools and concepts from the specialization courses to develop a comprehensive business plan. Choose to enhance new venture concepts previously explored in specialization courses, or develop a new concept for this capstone project. Develop a comprehensive, customer-validated business model and create an investor pitch for the concept.
This course is part of the Entrepreneurship: Launching an Innovative Business Specialization
Offered By
Entrepreneurship: Launching an Innovative Business SpecializationUniversity of Maryland, College ParkAbout this Course
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Learner Career Outcomes
83%
started a new career after completing these courses
89%
got a tangible career benefit from this course
43%
got a pay increase or promotion
Shareable Certificate
Earn a Certificate upon completion
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Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.
Course 4 of 4 in the
Flexible deadlines
Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.
Beginner Level
Approx. 8 hours to complete
English
Subtitles: English
Skills you will gain
Venture CapitalFinancial StatementFinanceEntrepreneurship
Learner Career Outcomes
83%
started a new career after completing these courses
89%
got a tangible career benefit from this course
43%
got a pay increase or promotion
Shareable Certificate
Earn a Certificate upon completion
100% online
Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.
Course 4 of 4 in the
Flexible deadlines
Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.
Beginner Level
Approx. 8 hours to complete
English
Subtitles: English
Offered by
University of Maryland, College Park
The University of Maryland is the state's flagship university and one of the nation's preeminent public research universities. A global leader in research, entrepreneurship and innovation, the university is home to more than 37,000 students, 9,000 faculty and staff, and 250 academic programs. Its faculty includes three Nobel laureates, three Pulitzer Prize winners, 47 members of the national academies and scores of Fulbright scholars. The institution has a $1.8 billion operating budget, secures $500 million annually in external research funding and recently completed a $1 billion fundraising campaign.
Syllabus - What you will learn from this course
2 hours to complete
Defining the Opportunity
Value innovation, your solution, and your initial business model canvas
2 hours to complete
10 videos (Total 83 min), 8 readings, 1 quiz
10 videos
Guest Lecture with U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker - What Advice Do You Have For Aspiring Entrepreneurs?1m
Does your solution create value for your stakeholders?9m
What is value innovation?6m
Is the problem real?7m
Is your advantage superior and sustainable?15m
Can you build the right team at the right time?15m
Will your business model work?10m
Crafting the business model canvas: Part 17m
Crafting the business model canvas: Part 26m
8 readings
Introduction to the course3m
Meet Dr. James V. Green3m
Connect with your classmates3m
Earn a Degree Online in Entrepreneurship and Innovation5m
"Value Innovation: The Strategic Logic of High Growth" by W. Chan Kim and Renee Mauborgne. Harvard Business Review.10m
"Every Company Is Up For Disruption, So Keep Your Products Simple" by Victor Belfor. TechCrunch.10m
"How to Convince People to Join Your Startup" by Alison Johnston. Mashable.10m
Lecture Slides1m
1 practice exercise
Initial Business Model Canvas18m
2 hours to complete
Discovering the Customer
Discovering the customer and interviewing customers
2 hours to complete
6 videos (Total 46 min), 5 readings, 1 quiz
6 videos
Customer types8m
Customer segments and business models6m
Customer archetypes4m
Minimum viable product7m
How to interview customers5m
5 readings
Talking to Humans" by Giff Constable. Available as a free PDF.10m
"Customer Development Interviews How-to: Finding People" by Cindy Alvarez10m
"95 Ways to Find Your First Customers for Customer Development" by Jason Evanish10m
"How do I set up customer interviews?" by Jeff Lash10m
Lecture Slides1m
1 practice exercise
Customer Interviews and Analysis: Part 1 of 220m
1 hour to complete
Understanding Customers
Analyzing customers
1 hour to complete
3 readings
3 readings
Sizing the Opportunity (2:50)10m
Finding Patterns (1:50)10m
Looking for Insights (0:58)10m
1 practice exercise
Customer Interviews and Analysis: Part 2 of 220m
2 hours to complete
Creating the Marketing and Sales Strategy
Marketing mix, sales forecasting, and managing the sales pipeline
2 hours to complete
5 videos (Total 47 min), 6 readings, 1 quiz
5 videos
Developing the marketing mix: Part 27m
Pricing13m
Sales forecasting10m
Managing the sales pipeline9m
6 readings
Marketing mix10m
Product strategies10m
Pricing strategies10m
Place strategies10m
Promotion strategies10m
Lecture Slides1m
1 practice exercise
Marketing and Sales Strategy12m
About the Entrepreneurship: Launching an Innovative Business Specialization
Develop your entrepreneurial mindset and skill sets, learn how to bring innovations to market, and craft a business model to successfully launch your new business.
The Entrepreneurship Specialization examines the entrepreneurial mindset and skill sets, indicators of innovation opportunities, critical steps to bring innovations to the marketplace, and innovation strategies to establish and maintain a competitive advantage. Fundamentals of new venture financing are explored with attention to capital structures for new ventures, term sheets and how to negotiate them, and the differences between early-stage versus later-stage financing. You will develop an understanding of how to develop winning investor pitches, who and when to pitch, how to avoid common mistakes, and how to ‘get to the close’. In the final Capstone Project, you will apply the tools and concepts from the specialization courses by crafting a comprehensive, customer-validated business model, and creating a business plan and investor pitch.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will I have access to the lectures and assignments?
Once you enroll for a Certificate, you’ll have access to all videos, quizzes, and programming assignments (if applicable). Peer review assignments can only be submitted and reviewed once your session has begun. If you choose to explore the course without purchasing, you may not be able to access certain assignments.
What will I get if I subscribe to this Specialization?
When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Specialization, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. Your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile. If you only want to read and view the course content, you can audit the course for free.
What is the refund policy?
If you subscribed, you get a 7-day free trial during which you can cancel at no penalty. After that, we don’t give refunds, but you can cancel your subscription at any time. See our full refund policy.
Is financial aid available?
Yes, Coursera provides financial aid to learners who cannot afford the fee. Apply for it by clicking on the Financial Aid link beneath the "Enroll" button on the left. You'll be prompted to complete an application and will be notified if you are approved. You'll need to complete this step for each course in the Specialization, including the Capstone Project. Learn more.
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