Launch Your Own Technology Startup Company. Create a complete business plan for a new technology startup company.

John E. Thomas

Offered By

Technology Entrepreneurship SpecializationUniversity of Colorado Boulder

What you will learn

By successfully completing this specialization, you will be able to describe how to form, fund, and launch a new technology venture.
You will be able to apply systems thinking to write vision and mission statements, competitive advantages statements, and value propositions.
You will also be able to define, construct, and integrate the core elements of a holistic business plan.
Lastly, you will be able to create a business presentation and pitch to potential investors.

Skills you will gain

About this Specialization

A new paradigm in entrepreneurship has replaced the model of the Silicon Valley startup garage with laptop computers and distributed networks. In this new paradigm, founders, partners, and critical startup resources may be accessed and acquired anywhere anytime. New technologies can be readily deployed to customers, markets, and distribution channels across the globe with the same infrastructure and underlying entrepreneurial principles and practices. Technology Entrepreneurship will empower learners with the knowledge, skills, and methods needed to create and launch a new technology company and to successfully compete in this new paradigm. This specialization will be of interest to learners who: have always wanted to start a technology business are interested in joining a technology startup company are tired of working at traditional jobs and making money for other people and want to learn more about entrepreneurship are looking for a greater sense of purpose and are passionate about making the world a better place The Technology Entrepreneurship specialization can be taken for academic credit as part of CU Boulder’s Master of Engineering in Engineering Management (ME-EM) degree offered on the Coursera platform.

Applied Learning Project

In this specialization, you have the option to create a full business plan for a new technology startup company, including product descriptions, risk analyses, market and operations plans, and an executive summary. You will also create presentations that will allow you to pitch your business plan to investors.

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

Approximately 4 months to complete

Suggested pace of 7 hours/week

English

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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

Approximately 4 months to complete

Suggested pace of 7 hours/week

English

Could your company benefit from training employees on in-demand skills?

Try Coursera for Business

See how employees at top companies are mastering in-demand skills

Learn more about Coursera for Business

How the Specialization Works

Take Courses

A Coursera Specialization is a series of courses that helps you master a skill. To begin, enroll in the Specialization directly, or review its courses and choose the one you'd like to start with. When you subscribe to a course that is part of a Specialization, you’re automatically subscribed to the full Specialization. It’s okay to complete just one course — you can pause your learning or end your subscription at any time. Visit your learner dashboard to track your course enrollments and your progress.

Hands-on Project

Every Specialization includes a hands-on project. You'll need to successfully finish the project(s) to complete the Specialization and earn your certificate. If the Specialization includes a separate course for the hands-on project, you'll need to finish each of the other courses before you can start it.

Earn a Certificate

When you finish every course and complete the hands-on project, you'll earn a Certificate that you can share with prospective employers and your professional network.

There are 3 Courses in this Specialization

Course1

Course 1

Getting Started with Startups

This course describes what it means to be an entrepreneur and clarifies some of the distinguishing characteristics of technology entrepreneurship. Entrepreneurial concepts, processes, & support systems are introduced from a holistic perspective. Methods and strategies for idea and opportunity recognition and development are provided to help identify new product ideas and solutions. Core concepts introduced include market gap analysis, sustainable competitive advantage, vision, mission, and customer value proposition.

Getting Started with Startups can be taken for academic credit as part of CU Boulder’s Master of Engineering in Engineering Management (ME-EM) degree offered on the Coursera platform. The ME-EM is designed to help engineers, scientists, and technical professionals move into leadership and management roles in the engineering and technical sectors. With performance-based admissions and no application process, the ME-EM is ideal for individuals with a broad range of undergraduate education and/or professional experience. Learn more about the ME-EM program at https://www.coursera.org/degrees/me-engineering-management-boulder.

Course2

Course 2

Creating a Startup Company

The course starts by exploring entrepreneurial ecosystems and systems thinking. The Technology Adoption Life Cycle is introduced to help explain market dynamics and support developing business strategy. Market research concepts and tools are presented that learners will apply to their course projects. Founder, key manager, and board member considerations are examined, and the qualities of effective leadership are reviewed. The operational structures and processes of a tech startup are identified, and the Balanced Scorecard is presented as a tool for tracking critical performance metrics. Learners will create a first draft of Product, Market, and Management & Operations Plans for their new product or service ideas.

Creating a Startup Company can be taken for academic credit as part of CU Boulder’s Master of Engineering in Engineering Management (ME-EM) degree offered on the Coursera platform. The ME-EM is designed to help engineers, scientists, and technical professionals move into leadership and management roles in the engineering and technical sectors. With performance-based admissions and no application process, the ME-EM is ideal for individuals with a broad range of undergraduate education and/or professional experience. Learn more about the ME-EM program at https://www.coursera.org/degrees/me-engineering-management-boulder.

Course3

Course 3

Forming, Funding, & Launching a Startup Company

This course starts with a close look at entrepreneurial finance, revenue models, and sources of startup funding. Learners will build a revenue model, create a Financial Plan for a new startup idea, and prepare an investor presentation for raising capital. Business legal structures are reviewed and some of the key legal considerations and pitfalls for startups are examined. Intellectual Property (IP) is presented as a business strategy for creating value and building competitive advantage. The role of ethics in a startup environment is explored in the context of an entrepreneurial mindset. The value of building a learning organization is presented. Startup growth strategies for building technology companies and exit options for technology entrepreneurs are reviewed. Learners will complete a business plan for a new product or service idea.

Forming, Funding, and Launching a Startup Company can be taken for academic credit as part of CU Boulder’s Master of Engineering in Engineering Management (ME-EM) degree offered on the Coursera platform. The ME-EM is designed to help engineers, scientists, and technical professionals move into leadership and management roles in the engineering and technical sectors. With performance-based admissions and no application process, the ME-EM is ideal for individuals with a broad range of undergraduate education and/or professional experience. Learn more about the ME-EM program at https://www.coursera.org/degrees/me-engineering-management-boulder.

Instructor

John E. Thomas

Scholar in Residence

Lockheed Martin Engineering Management Program

574 Learners

3 Courses

Offered by

University of Colorado Boulder

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. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.
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.
How long does it take to complete the Specialization?
It will take six to eight hours of study per week for three to four months to complete this specialization.
What background knowledge is necessary?
No particular background is necessary, except for an interest in technology entrepreneurship.
Do I need to take the courses in a specific order?
It is recommended that you take the courses of the specialization in sequence, as you'll be constructing the components of your full business plan from start to finish.
Will I earn university credit for completing the Specialization?
You can earn credit towards the completion of CU Boulder's Masters of Engineering in Engineering Management degree program by enrolling in for-credit versions of the courses in this specialization. Learn more about the ME-EM program here.
What will I be able to do upon completing the Specialization?
Upon successful completion of the specialization, you will be able to produce a full business plan for a new technology startup company and pitch your idea to investors.

More questions? Visit the Learner Help Center.

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Technology Entrepreneurship Specialization

What you will learn

Skills you will gain

About this Specialization

Applied Learning Project