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Entrepreneurship: Launching an Innovative Business Specialization
Identify, Analyze, and Launch Your Startup. Build Your Skills to Develop Great Ideas into Great Companies.
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Offered By
Entrepreneurship: Launching an Innovative Business SpecializationUniversity of Maryland, College ParkSkills you will gain
About this Specialization
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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.
Learner Career Outcomes
83%
Started a new career after completing this specialization.
43%
Got a pay increase or promotion.
Shareable Certificate
Earn a Certificate upon completion
100% online courses
Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.
Flexible Schedule
Set and maintain flexible deadlines.
Beginner Level
No prior experience required.
Approx. 5 months to complete
Suggested 2 hours/week
English
Subtitles: English, Spanish, Portuguese (Brazilian), Chinese (Simplified), Vietnamese
Learner Career Outcomes
83%
Started a new career after completing this specialization.
43%
Got a pay increase or promotion.
Shareable Certificate
Earn a Certificate upon completion
100% online courses
Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.
Flexible Schedule
Set and maintain flexible deadlines.
Beginner Level
No prior experience required.
Approx. 5 months to complete
Suggested 2 hours/week
English
Subtitles: English, Spanish, Portuguese (Brazilian), Chinese (Simplified), Vietnamese
There are 4 Courses in this Specialization
Developing Innovative Ideas for New Companies: The First Step in Entrepreneurship
734 ratings
This course assists aspiring and active entrepreneurs in developing great ideas into great companies. With strong economies presenting rich opportunities for new venture creation, and challenging economic times presenting the necessity for many to make their own job, the need to develop the skills to develop and act on innovative business opportunities is increasingly vital.
Innovation for Entrepreneurs: From Idea to Marketplace
427 ratings
Develop insights on navigating the innovation process from idea generation to commercialization. Build knowledge on how to create strategies to bring innovations to market. Develop an innovation portfolio and business model canvas for your venture.
New Venture Finance: Startup Funding for Entrepreneurs
288 ratings
This course is for aspiring or active entrepreneurs who wants to understand how to secure funding for their company. This course will demystify key financing concepts to give entrepreneurs and aspiring entrepreneurs a guide to secure funding.
Entrepreneurship Capstone
113 ratings
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.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
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.
Can I just enroll in a single course?
Yes! To get started, click the course card that interests you and enroll. You can enroll and complete the course to earn a shareable certificate, or you can audit it to view the course materials for free. When you subscribe to a course that is part of a Specialization, you’re automatically subscribed to the full Specialization. Visit your learner dashboard to track your progress.
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.
Can I take the course for free?
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. If you only want to read and view the course content, you can audit the course for free. If you cannot afford the fee, you can apply for financial aid.
Is this course really 100% online? Do I need to attend any classes in person?
This course is completely online, so there’s no need to show up to a classroom in person. You can access your lectures, readings and assignments anytime and anywhere via the web or your mobile device.
Will I earn university credit for completing the Specialization?
This Specialization doesn't carry university credit, but some universities may choose to accept Specialization Certificates for credit. Check with your institution to learn more.
How long does it take to complete the Entrepreneurship Specialization?
Time to completion can vary based on your schedule, but most learners are able to complete the Specialization in four months.
How often is each course in the Specialization offered?
Each course in the Specialization is offered on a regular schedule, with sessions starting about once per month. If you don't complete a course on the first try, you can easily transfer to the next session, and your completed work and grades will carry over.
What background knowledge is necessary?
The Entrepreneurship Specialization is designed for those interested in learning how to launch an innovative business, and does not require a background in business or any specific area. A desire to build your knowledge and capabilities are the only requirements for entry. Beginning with Coursera’s “Developing Innovative Ideas for New Ventures: The First Step in Entrepreneurship” is highly recommended.
Do I need to take the courses in a specific order?
We recommend taking the courses in the order presented, beginning with Coursera’s “Developing Innovative Ideas for New Ventures: The First Step in Entrepreneurship,” as each subsequent course will build on material from previous courses.
Will I earn university credit for completing the Entrepreneurship Specialization?
Coursera courses and certificates don't carry university credit, though some universities may choose to accept Specialization Certificates for credit. Check with your institution to learn more.
What will I be able to do upon completing the Entrepreneurship Specialization?
When you complete the Entrepreneurship Specialization, you will have the skills to launch an innovative business. Each student in the specialization will generate and validate an innovative new venture concept. Students will be able to build a comprehensive, customer-validated business model. Applying knowledge from the innovation and new venture financing courses will enable students to create a business plan and investor pitch in the Capstone. Eligible students completing any one of the courses in the Specialization are invited to continue their entrepreneurial journey with a $1,000 scholarship to the University of Maryland’s Master of Professional Studies in Technology Entrepreneurship, a 100% online degree program. Learn more at http://mte.umd.edu.
More questions? Visit the Learner Help Center.
