OpenCourser brand icon
Sign in
We may earn an affiliate commission when you visit our partners.
Course image
Course image
Coursera logo

Entrepreneurship Strategy

From Ideation to Exit

4.7 Filled star Filled star Filled star Filled star Half star
Based on 1,214 ratings
see reviews
Ambroise Huret

This course covers in the chronological order each defining step of an entrepreneurial project. It begins with very personal considerations related to getting to better know yourself better so as to decide if you are ready for the multiple challenges of entrepreneurship. It then deals with creativity in order to provide the right set of tools to find an idea with the right potential to disrupt an existing business. We then discuss how to gather a founding team, how to raise money to initiate the project, and how to deal with day to day cash management. Later in the course, we discuss the art of selling, focusing on business to business sales, and how to measure the product launch phase using cohort analysis. Later on, we discuss the challenges of HR in an entrepreneurial environment, and of recruiting at a point where nobody knows your company. We then describe very practical techniques to initiate the international development of a small company. Last, we cover the exit strategy topic.

Enroll now

Here's a deal for you

Save money when you learn with a deal that may be relevant to this course.
All coupon codes, vouchers, and discounts are applied automatically unless otherwise noted.
Valid until March 12, 2027
Save 40% Off 3 Months
Access thousands of top-rated learning programs with a Coursera Plus monthly subscription and take 40% off 3 months for a limited time.
Take
40%
off
Get offer

What's inside

Syllabus

Knowing who you are
Welcome to the module 1. In this week, we’re going to deal with knowing who you are, because knowing yourself is the key to shaping a project that will truly fulfill you. We will talk about your “intimate mechanics”, and take a closer look at your inner functioning. We will also discuss your intrinsic values to help you assess if they match the demanding reality of entrepreneurship. Finally, we will see how you can analyze and then consolidate your “belief system”, i.e. the set of values that are the pillars of your personal and professional life.
Read more

Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Explores entrepreneurship as a career path, providing insights into self-assessment and readiness
Delves into creativity techniques tailored for entrepreneurs, fostering innovation and idea generation
Guides learners in assembling a founding team and evaluating financial strategies, including the decision of whether to raise capital
Provides practical techniques for managing day-to-day cash flow and monitoring financial indicators essential for business success
Emphasizes the importance of sales and customer relationships, offering strategies for successful business-to-business interactions
Examines the challenges of managing human resources in an entrepreneurial environment, including recruitment and training

Save this course

Create your own learning path. Save this course to your list so you can find it easily later.
Save

Reviews summary

Comprehensive entrepreneurship journey overview

According to learners, this course provides a largely positive overview of the entire entrepreneurial journey, from ideation to exit. Students appreciate the structured approach that follows the chronological steps of building a venture. Many highlight the practical insights offered, particularly on topics like fundraising, sales, and HR in a startup context. While the course covers a broad range of topics, some reviewers note that certain areas could benefit from greater depth or more hands-on exercises. Overall, it is seen as a solid foundation for aspiring entrepreneurs or those looking to understand the startup lifecycle.
Starts with important self-assessment.
"Starting with 'Knowing who you are' was unique and incredibly important before diving into business mechanics."
"I appreciated the focus on personal values and suitability for entrepreneurship early on."
"It's not just about business; it makes you think if this path is right for you."
"The initial module on self-assessment was a great foundation."
Course modules are well organized.
"The course structure flows logically, following the lifecycle of a startup."
"The modules are well-paced, allowing time to absorb the information before moving on."
"It's easy to follow the progression of topics."
"I liked how each week built upon the last."
Provides actionable tools and strategies.
"I found the advice on fundraising particularly practical and helpful for my current situation."
"The section on B2B sales was surprisingly insightful and gave me concrete techniques to use."
"They provided useful frameworks for thinking about things like team building and international expansion."
"I learned strategies for cash management and recruiting that I can apply directly."
Knowledgeable and engaging instructor.
"The instructor is clearly very knowledgeable and shares valuable real-world experience."
"I found the lectures engaging and easy to pay attention to."
"His insights were inspiring and really resonated with me."
"The professor explains complex ideas in an understandable way."
Covers the entrepreneurial journey end-to-end.
"This course gave me a complete picture of what it takes to start and grow a business, from the very beginning to considering an exit."
"I appreciated how they walked through each stage chronologically; it made understanding the process so much easier."
"It touches upon all the critical aspects you need to think about as an entrepreneur."
"They covered everything from finding an idea to finally selling the company."
Broad coverage, some topics may lack depth.
"While comprehensive, some specific topics felt a bit rushed and could have gone into more detail."
"I would have liked a deeper dive into certain areas, like specific funding rounds or marketing strategies."
"It's a great overview, but don't expect expert-level depth in every single module."
"Needs supplement for very specific or advanced topics."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Entrepreneurship Strategy: From Ideation to Exit with these activities:
Practice knowing yourself
Understanding your strengths, weaknesses, and values will help you assess if entrepreneurship is the right path for you.
Show steps
  • Journal about your experiences, thoughts, and feelings.
  • Identify and assess your skills, talents, and interests.
  • Consider your values and priorities, and how they align with the demands of entrepreneurship.
Explore creativity techniques
Learning creativity techniques will help you develop innovative ideas and solutions.
Browse courses on Lateral Thinking
Show steps
  • Watch online tutorials on different creativity techniques.
  • Practice applying the techniques to generate ideas for potential business ventures.
Develop a business plan
Creating a business plan will force you to think through the key elements of your business idea and identify potential challenges.
Browse courses on Business Plan Writing
Show steps
  • Define your business concept, target market, and competitive landscape.
  • Conduct a market analysis to assess the potential size and growth of your target market.
  • Develop a financial plan that outlines your expected revenue, expenses, and profits.
Three other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all six activities
Volunteer at a local business or startup
Volunteering at a local business or startup will give you hands-on experience and allow you to learn from experienced professionals.
Browse courses on Business Operations
Show steps
  • Identify local businesses or startups that you are interested in working with.
  • Contact the businesses or startups and inquire about volunteer opportunities.
  • Participate in volunteer activities and contribute to the success of the business or startup.
Create a list of potential investors
Compiling a list of potential investors will help you prepare for fundraising and increase your chances of success.
Browse courses on Venture Capital
Show steps
  • Identify potential investors who are interested in your industry and business model.
  • Research each investor's investment history, portfolio, and investment preferences.
  • Create a list of investors that you would like to approach for funding.
Read "The Lean Startup"
This book provides practical advice on building a successful startup, including how to validate your ideas, build a minimum viable product, and iterate based on customer feedback.
View The Startup Way: How Modern Companies Use... on Amazon
Show steps
  • Read the book and take notes on key concepts and ideas.
  • Apply the principles of the Lean Startup methodology to your own business venture.

Career center

Learners who complete Entrepreneurship Strategy: From Ideation to Exit will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Entrepreneur
Entrepreneurship Strategy is an insightful overview of the strategies required to be an entrepreneur. Understanding the challenges and opportunities of entrepreneurship is key to the success of any entrepreneur. This course will help train entrepreneurial thinkers to solve problems, manage cash, and bring a product to a launch.
See salaries and explore the career path for Entrepreneur
Chief Executive Officer
Entrepreneurship Strategy is an excellent foundational overview of the challenges of Entrepreneurship. A CEO leads all other employees of a company and therefore must have a comprehensive knowledge of all areas necessary to manage a business. The skills and knowledge taught in this course, such as cash management, founding a team, and knowing your own strengths and weaknesses, are necessary to the career trajectory of a CEO.
See salaries and explore the career path for Chief Executive Officer
Operations Manager
Founding a successful business requires a firm grasp of the day to day challenges and opportunities of an organization. Those who wish to become an Operations Manager should understand business operations from the ground up, which this course provides. Understanding recruiting, cohort analysis, and international expansion are all important to running a team and business.
See salaries and explore the career path for Operations Manager
Product Manager
To bring a successful product to market, a Product Manager must have a deep understanding of the complexities of the role. Therefore, it is key to understand how to research, develop, and sell a product, all of which are taught in this course on Entrepreneurship. Learning about cohort analysis, sales, and the product launch phase are all key components of the successful product manager's skillset.
See salaries and explore the career path for Product Manager
Business Development Manager
Business Development Managers are charged with selling products and services and developing strategic partnerships. This course, Entrepreneurship Strategy, can help those who wish to work in this field to develop a strong foundation in the related fields of fundraising, business strategy, and sales.
See salaries and explore the career path for Business Development Manager
Business Owner
Founding a business is a challenging but rewarding path that requires a deep understanding of a variety of business principles. This course in Entrepreneurship Strategy provides a great foundation to develop the skills and knowledge needed to become a Business Owner, from ideation and team-building to financing and sales.
See salaries and explore the career path for Business Owner
Data Analyst
Entrepreneurship Strategy is a valuable course for Data Analysts to learn how to take business problems and translate them into actionable solutions using data analysis. Data Analysts must understand the complexities of how a business operates, which is covered thoroughly in this course. There is also a large component on cohort analysis, which is highly relevant to the work of a Data Analyst.
See salaries and explore the career path for Data Analyst
Marketing Manager
Knowing how to sell a product or service is a key component of business, especially in the entrepreneurial sphere. Those who wish to work in the field of Marketing should take this course to learn about the techniques and strategies to make sales based on their target audience, something that is a core component of the marketer's skillset.
See salaries and explore the career path for Marketing Manager
Investment Banker
Entrepreneurship Strategy is a great foundational course for those seeking to enter or progress in the field of Investment Banking. This course teaches skills and knowledge in raising money, financial analysis, and cash management, which are all required to be successful as an Investment Banker. This course can help build the skills to find an idea for a business and determine if it will be successful.
See salaries and explore the career path for Investment Banker
Human Resources Manager
This course in Entrepreneurship Strategy provides a good overview of the challenges and opportunities of Human Resource Management. Understanding the importance of recruiting, training, and scaling a workforce is critical to the success of an HR Manager. Additionally, this course can help one to understand the importance of creating and maintaining a company's culture and values.
See salaries and explore the career path for Human Resources Manager
Sales Manager
Entrepreneurship Strategy can be a beneficial resource for those seeking a career in Sales Management. This course would be a great foundation for understanding all aspects of the sales process, from developing an idea to bringing a product to launch. Sales managers must be able to manage a team, develop sales strategies, and analyze data to identify opportunities for growth, which are all topics covered in this course.
See salaries and explore the career path for Sales Manager
Financial Analyst
Financial Analysts are responsible for analyzing financial data and making recommendations on investments. This course in Entrepreneurship Strategy can be helpful to those aspiring to become Financial Analysts because it teaches how to assess the financial health of a company, which is a key skill for financial analysts.
See salaries and explore the career path for Financial Analyst
Consultant
Consultants are responsible for understanding the challenges and opportunities of a company in order to develop a plan for how to achieve their goals. This course, Entrepreneurship Strategy, can help those preparing to become consultants to build a strong foundation in understanding the complexities of business and how to solve them.
See salaries and explore the career path for Consultant

Reading list

We've selected 15 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Entrepreneurship Strategy: From Ideation to Exit.
Lean Startup: How Today's Entrepreneurs Use...
Save
Provides a step-by-step guide to building a successful startup, from idea generation to product launch and growth. It valuable resource for entrepreneurs who want to learn how to validate their ideas, build a minimum viable product, and iterate quickly based on customer feedback.
The Lean Startup: How Today's Entrepreneurs Use...
Hardcover
$$
The Lean Startup: How Today's Entrepreneurs Use...
Kindle Edition
$$
Zero to One: Notes on Startups, Or How to Build the...
Save
Challenges the conventional wisdom of business and argues that it is better to create something new and different than to compete in an existing market. It must-read for entrepreneurs who want to think big and create a truly disruptive business.
Zero to One: Notes on Startups, or How to Build the...
Hardcover
$$
Zero to One: Notes on Startups, or How to Build the...
Kindle Edition
$$
Cover image
The Disruptive Innovation Set (2 Books)
Save
This classic book explores the challenges that large companies face when trying to innovate. It provides a framework for understanding how disruptive technologies can upend established industries and how companies can avoid the innovator's dilemma.
The Disruptive Innovation Set (2 Books)
Paperback
$$
The Disruptive Innovation Set (2 Books)
Kindle Edition
$$
Cover image
The Crux
Save
Provides a simple framework for developing a good strategy. It valuable resource for entrepreneurs who want to learn how to think strategically and make better decisions.
The Crux: How Leaders Become Strategists
Hardcover
$$
The Crux: How Leaders Become Strategists
Kindle Edition
$$
Cover image
What You Do Is Who You Are: How to Create Your...
Save
Brutally honest account of the challenges of being an entrepreneur. It must-read for anyone who wants to start their own business or who is already running a business and facing difficult challenges.
What You Do Is Who You Are: How to Create Your...
Hardcover
$$
What You Do Is Who You Are: How to Create Your...
Kindle Edition
$$
Cover image
Traction
Save
Provides a practical guide to getting traction for your startup. It valuable resource for entrepreneurs who want to learn how to acquire customers and grow their business.
Traction
Paperback
$$
(Français) Traction - Comment toute start-up peut développer...
Kindle Edition
$$
(Italiano) Traction. Le strategie vincenti per ottenere una...
Paperback
$$
Cover image
The Infinite Staircase
Save
Explores the challenges of taking a product from early adopters to the mainstream market. It valuable resource for entrepreneurs who want to learn how to scale their business and reach a larger audience.
The Infinite Staircase: What the Universe Tells Us...
Hardcover
$$
The Infinite Staircase
Kindle Edition
$$
Cover image
The Founder's Dilemmas
Save
Explores the common challenges that founders face when building a successful business. It valuable resource for entrepreneurs who want to learn how to avoid common pitfalls and make better decisions.
The Founder's Dilemmas: Anticipating and Avoiding...
Paperback
$$
(中文) The Founder's Dilemmas (Chinese Edition)
Paperback
$$
Founder's Dilemmas
Podcast
Check Price
The Founder's Dilemmas: Anticipating and Avoiding...
Kindle Edition
$
Cover image
The Lean Product Playbook
Save
Provides a practical guide to using lean principles to develop products that customers love. It valuable resource for entrepreneurs who want to learn how to build products that are both innovative and profitable.
The Lean Product Playbook: How to Innovate with...
Hardcover
$$
The Lean Product Playbook: How to Innovate with...
Kindle Edition
$$
Cover image
Wise Guy
Save
Provides a practical guide to starting a successful business. It valuable resource for entrepreneurs who want to learn how to develop a business plan, raise capital, and launch their business.
Wise Guy
Paperback
Check
Wise Guy
Kindle Edition
Check
Time Anxiety
Save
Provides a practical guide to starting a business with very little money. It valuable resource for entrepreneurs who want to learn how to start a business without breaking the bank.
Time Anxiety
Paperback
Check
Time Anxiety
Kindle Edition
Check
Cover image
Powershift
Save
Provides an inspiring account of how Daymond John built a successful business from scratch. It valuable resource for entrepreneurs who want to learn how to overcome adversity and achieve their dreams.
Powershift: Transform Any Situation, Close Any Deal...
Paperback
$$
Powershift Przeobraz dowolna sytuacje, sfinalizuj...
Paperback
$$
Powershift: Transform Any Situation, Close Any Deal...
Kindle Edition
$$
Cover image
It Doesn’t Have to Be Crazy at Work
Save
Provides a contrarian perspective on business. It challenges conventional wisdom and provides practical advice on how to build a successful business without all the usual trappings.
It Doesn't Have to Be Crazy at Work
Hardcover
$$
It Doesn't Have to Be Crazy at Work
Kindle Edition
$$
Cover image
The E-Myth Pest Control Business
Save
Provides a practical guide to starting and running a successful small business. It valuable resource for entrepreneurs who want to learn how to build a business that is both profitable and scalable.
The E-Myth Pest Control Business: Why Most Pest...
Hardcover
$$
CASHFLOW Quadrant
Save
Provides a personal finance guide that challenges traditional views on money and investing. It valuable resource for entrepreneurs who want to learn how to build wealth and achieve financial independence.
CASHFLOW Quadrant
Paperback
Check
CASHFLOW Quadrant
Kindle Edition
Check

Share

Help others find this course page by sharing it with your friends and followers:
Facebook
LinkedIn
Reddit
X
Link
Email

Similar courses

Here are nine courses similar to Entrepreneurship Strategy: From Ideation to Exit.
Business Strategy in Practice (Project-centered Course)
Most relevant
Two Speed IT: How Companies Can Surf the Digital Wave, a...
Most relevant
From Idea to Startup
Most relevant
English for Business and Entrepreneurship
Most relevant
Foundations of Business Strategy
Most relevant
Creating and Developing a Tech Startup
Most relevant
Strategic Leadership and Management Capstone
Most relevant
Understanding the Music Business: What is Music Worth?
Most relevant
Competitive Strategy
Most relevant

Coursera Buyer Protection & Guarantee

Verified partner policies & purchase protections

Accredited University Partner
Free Trial & Audit

7-Day Free Trial & Free Audit

7-day free trial on monthly Coursera Plus subscriptions; free audit option available on most individual courses to explore video lectures and readings at no charge.

Return & Refund Policy

14-Day Refund Guarantee

14-day refund window on annual Coursera Plus subscriptions and single-course purchases prior to certificate issuance. Monthly subscriptions do not offer refunds once billed.

Buyer Protections

Verified Academic & Industry Partner

Accredited university and industry certifications (e.g. Stanford, Google, IBM, Yale), secure SSL payment processing, and verifiable digital certificate links.

Key Purchase Protections
14-day refund window on annual Coursera Plus and single courses
7-day free trial on monthly Coursera Plus subscriptions
Free course audit option for lectures and readings
Verified certificates from top universities & companies
OpenCourser Verified Partner Policy details last reviewed: 2026-10-22
Course image
Rating
4.7 Filled star Filled star Filled star Filled star Half star
Effort
Approx. 18 hours
Level
Introductory
Via
Coursera
Institution
HEC Paris
Instructor
Ambroise Huret
Language
English
Transcripts
Español Français Português Deutsch Italiano 中文 العربية 한국어 日本語 हिंदी Nederlands Svenska Pусский Türkçe Polski Ελληνικά українська мова magyar nyelv Bahasa Indonesia ไทย қазақша اُردُو, فارسی বাংলা tiếng Việt پښتو آذربایجان دیلی
Traffic lights
Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Explores entrepreneurship as a career path, providing insights into self-assessment and readiness
Delves into creativity techniques tailored for entrepreneurs, fostering innovation and idea generation
Guides learners in assembling a founding team and evaluating financial strategies, including the decision of whether to raise capital
Provides practical techniques for managing day-to-day cash flow and monitoring financial indicators essential for business success
Emphasizes the importance of sales and customer relationships, offering strategies for successful business-to-business interactions
Examines the challenges of managing human resources in an entrepreneurial environment, including recruitment and training
Share this
Share to help others discover this course.
Facebook LinkedIn X Reddit Link Email
Begin learning today
Enroll now to gain full access to Entrepreneurship Strategy.
Enroll now
Save for later
Add this course to your list. Find it anytime.
Save
Our mission

OpenCourser helps millions of learners each year. People visit us to learn workspace skills, ace their exams, and nurture their curiosity.

Our extensive catalog contains over 50,000 courses and twice as many books. Browse by search, by topic, or even by career interests. We'll match you to the right resources quickly.

Find this site helpful? Tell a friend about us.

Affiliate disclosure

We're supported by our community of learners. When you purchase or subscribe to courses and programs or purchase books, we may earn a commission from our partners.

Your purchases help us maintain our catalog and keep our servers humming without ads.

Thank you for supporting OpenCourser.

© 2016 - 2025 OpenCourser