Creating and Developing a Tech Startup from Coursera

This course will allow you to identify and evaluate opportunities for creating a tech business, and to better understand its principal issues on a human, technical, commercial, environmental and financial level.

As such, you will obtain solid foundations either for building your own tech business, or for joining one.

Deciding to create or to join a tech business in these early years is an out-of-the-ordinary adventure, and it certainly won’t be straightforward: you need to be ready to accept that not all "good" ideas will lead to success, and that only a very small number of projects lead to great success. You must learn to overhaul your relationship with failure, which is a valuable source of experience and should be managed according to the logic of “acceptable loss”: the entrepreneur loves uncertainty, not excessive risk. The creation of tech businesses gives you a genuine opportunity to change the world, but requires you to adopt a particular state of mind and to be able to acquire knowledge, know-how and interpersonal skills.

You will have the chance to work alongside passionate and exciting people from a whole multitude of backgrounds. From a technological point of view, these women and men have constructed numerous companies of a global scale.

The development trajectory of a tech business is full of mishaps which require you to be both agile and greatly prepared to build on a strong idea, choose your market, develop your proposal, assemble a team worthy of the task in hand, and finding financing.

The course is made up of methodological sessions as well as first-hand accounts from entrepreneurs and people who have succeeded in creating tech businesses themselves. You will thus be able to get to know the essential dilemmas with which high-tech business creators are confronted with, beginning with the initial decision to set up your very own structure, which itself represents a significant life decision.

You will also see that the creation of a tech business is much more a collective adventure than an individual one.

In the English version, all of the reading content, quizzes and assesments will be in English, whilst the videos will have French audio and English subtitles.

What's inside

Syllabus

From laboratory invention to formulation of an innovative concept

Before any technical or financial consideration, the creation of a technology company is above all a human adventure that requires each associate to make personal choices. Besides your initial intuition that a new cutting-edge technology offer is marketable, we want to familiarize you with several development methods and practices. Mostly you will be asked to explore what the potential applications of your offer will be and the different ways to make it stand out from the existing offers.

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Builds an understanding of identifying and evaluating opportunities for starting a technology business

Covers key aspects of building a successful tech business, including human resources, technology, marketing, finance, and more

Provides a comprehensive overview of the tech industry and its challenges

The instructors, Romain Beaume and Etienne Krieger, are experienced entrepreneurs and investors

Emphasizes the importance of teamwork and collaboration in building a successful tech business

The course is available in English, making it accessible to a global audience

Reviews summary

Overview for aspiring tech startup founders

According to learners, this course provides a positive solid foundation and a positive comprehensive overview of the journey of creating and developing a tech startup. Students appreciated the positive practical insights and positive valuable perspectives offered through real-world examples and case studies. While covering neutral key aspects from identifying opportunities to financing and defining a business model, some learners felt it warning lacks depth for those with prior experience or seeking detailed technical knowledge. Overall, it's considered a good starting point for understanding the multifaceted nature of launching a tech venture.

Some content may feel slightly dated.

"Some technology examples mentioned felt a bit old compared to today's landscape."

"Could benefit from updates to reflect current trends in tech financing and markets."

"While principles are timeless, specific data points or examples might need refreshing."

Offers a strong base for aspiring founders.

"This course gave me the groundwork I needed to even start thinking about my own venture seriously."

"It helped me structure my thinking and understand the basic steps required."

"Definitely a good starting point for anyone considering the startup path but unsure where to begin."

Valuable perspectives from real entrepreneurs and cases.

"The guest speakers and case studies were the most inspiring part for me. Real-world examples make a difference."

"Hearing directly from founders helped ground the theoretical concepts."

"I learned a lot from the examples of companies that succeeded and failed, and why."

Covers essential aspects of launching a tech startup.

"The course provided a really broad view of everything involved in starting a tech business. Very helpful."

"I appreciated how it covered key areas like financing, IP, and team building in one place."

"It gives a good high-level understanding of the entire startup lifecycle, from idea to funding."

May not be detailed enough for experienced individuals.

"Good for beginners, but if you already know the basics, it might feel a bit too general."

"I was hoping for more in-depth coverage on specific topics like financial modeling or legal structures."

"It's an overview, not a deep dive into any single area of running a startup."

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 Creating and Developing a Tech Startup with these activities:

Create a study guide

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Organize and review notes and materials to create a personalized study guide.

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Gather notes, assignments, and quizzes
Identify key concepts and topics
Summarize information in your own words

Join a study group

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Engage in discussions and problem-solving with peers to strengthen understanding of course material.

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Find a group of classmates with complementary skills
Establish regular meeting times
Review course content, work on assignments, and discuss concepts

Read 'The Innovator's Dilemma'

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Gain insights into the challenges and opportunities of tech innovation from a seminal work in the field.

View The Disruptive Innovation Set (2 Books) on Amazon

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Read the book and take notes
Identify key concepts and principles
Consider the implications for your own tech business aspirations

Four other activities

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Show all seven activities

Develop a business plan for a tech startup

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Apply the principles learned in the course to create a comprehensive plan for launching a tech business.

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Identify a market opportunity
Define your target audience
Develop a business model
Outline your marketing and sales strategy
Project financial performance

Attend industry events and meetups

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Connect with professionals in the tech industry to learn about the latest trends and gain valuable insights.

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Research and identify relevant events
Attend events and introduce yourself to new people
Follow up with connections made at events

Build a small-scale tech product

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Apply your knowledge and skills to create a tangible product that demonstrates your understanding of tech principles.

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Define the scope and objectives of your project
Research and learn the necessary technologies
Develop the product
Test and refine your product
Deploy and iterate on your product

Become a mentor to aspiring tech entrepreneurs

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Deepen your understanding of course material by sharing your knowledge and providing guidance to others.

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Identify platforms or organizations where you can connect with aspiring tech entrepreneurs
Offer your time and expertise as a mentor
Provide guidance, support, and feedback to your mentees

Career center

Learners who complete Creating and Developing a Tech Startup will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Entrepreneur

Entrepreneurs start and manage their own businesses. They identify opportunities, develop business plans, and raise capital to launch and grow their businesses. In this course, you will learn the fundamentals of entrepreneurship, including how to identify opportunities, develop business plans, and raise capital. These skills will help you develop a strong foundation as an Entrepreneur and be able to launch and lead technology-oriented startup ventures.

See salaries and explore the career path for Entrepreneur

Systems Analyst

Systems Analysts help businesses understand and apply technology solutions. Many Systems Analysts specialize in a particular domain and apply technology solutions according to those specialized needs. For example, a Healthcare Systems Analyst helps implement technology management solutions particular to the healthcare industry. A Business Systems Analyst may work on software solutions, policy, procedure, or training materials for a generalized business environment. In this course, you will learn how to assess a business' needs, formulate innovative solutions to meet those needs, and successfully implement your solutions by taking into account the numerous stakeholders involved. Completing this course will help you build a foundation as a Systems Analyst by teaching you how to identify opportunities for developing technology-based solutions to help different kinds of organizations operate more efficiently and effectively.

See salaries and explore the career path for Systems Analyst

Venture Capitalist

Venture Capitalists invest in early-stage businesses with high growth potential. They work with a variety of entrepreneurs to help them raise capital and develop their businesses. In this course, you will learn the fundamentals of venture capital, including how to evaluate investment opportunities and negotiate investment terms. These skills will help you develop a strong foundation as a Venture Capitalist and be able to evaluate and fund promising technology-related startup businesses.

See salaries and explore the career path for Venture Capitalist

Consultant

Consultants provide advice and guidance to businesses on a variety of topics. They work with a variety of clients, including businesses, governments, and non-profit organizations, to help them solve problems and achieve their goals. In this course, you will learn the fundamentals of consulting, including how to develop consulting proposals, conduct research, and present recommendations. These skills will help you develop a strong foundation as a Consultant and be able to recommend and implement technology-based solutions to help businesses address their objectives and challenges.

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Technical Writer

Technical Writers write instruction manuals, technical reports, and other documentation on complex technical subjects. They must translate technical information into a way that the intended audience can understand. In this course, you will learn how to understand and articulate problems, develop persuasive arguments, research technical topics, and write clearly and concisely. These skills will help you develop a strong foundation as a Technical Writer and excel in roles that require you to communicate complex technical information to a variety of audiences.

See salaries and explore the career path for Technical Writer

Data Analyst

Data Analysts use data to help businesses make better decisions. They collect, clean, and analyze data to identify trends and patterns. They then use this information to develop recommendations for how businesses can improve their operations. In this course, you will learn how to collect, clean, and analyze data using a variety of tools and techniques. You will also learn how to present your findings in a clear and concise way. These skills will help you develop a strong foundation as a Data Analyst and be able to effectively gather, synthesize, and interpret data.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Analyst

Software Engineer

Software Engineers design, develop, and maintain software applications. They work with a variety of programming languages and technologies to create software that meets the needs of users. In this course, you will learn the fundamentals of software engineering, including software design, development, and testing. You will also learn how to work in a team environment and how to manage software projects. These skills will help you develop a strong foundation as a Software Engineer and succeed in roles that require the development and implementation of software solutions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Engineer

Product Manager

Product Managers are responsible for the development and launch of new products. They work with a variety of stakeholders, including engineers, designers, and marketers, to ensure that products meet the needs of users. In this course, you will learn how to develop and launch new products, including how to conduct market research, develop product specifications, and manage product development teams. These skills will help you develop a strong foundation as a Product Manager and be able to create and deliver products that meet market need.

See salaries and explore the career path for Product Manager

Business Analyst

Business Analysts help businesses understand their needs and develop solutions to meet those needs. They work with a variety of stakeholders, including business users, IT staff, and executives, to gather requirements, analyze data, and develop recommendations. In this course, you will learn how to gather and analyze requirements, develop solutions, and communicate your findings to stakeholders. These skills will help you develop a strong foundation as a Business Analyst and be able to successfully consult clients on how to implement new technology-based business solutions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Business Analyst

Project Manager

Project Managers plan, execute, and close projects. They work with a variety of stakeholders, including project team members, clients, and vendors, to ensure that projects are completed on time, within budget, and to the required quality standards. In this course, you will learn the fundamentals of project management, including how to plan, execute, and close projects. You will also learn how to work in a team environment and how to manage project risks. These skills will help you develop a strong foundation as a Project Manager and be able to turn technological or scientific objectives into tangible and successful products and services.

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Marketing Manager

Marketing Managers develop and implement marketing campaigns to promote products and services. They work with a variety of stakeholders, including marketing team members, sales staff, and customers, to develop and execute marketing strategies. In this course, you will learn the fundamentals of marketing, including how to develop marketing plans, create marketing materials, and track marketing results. These skills will help you develop a strong foundation as a Marketing Manager and be able to effectively plan, implement, and manage marketing campaigns to market innovative technology products and services.

See salaries and explore the career path for Marketing Manager

Sales Manager

Sales Managers lead and motivate sales teams to achieve sales goals. They work with a variety of stakeholders, including sales team members, customers, and executives, to develop and execute sales strategies. In this course, you will learn the fundamentals of sales management, including how to develop sales plans, motivate sales teams, and track sales results. These skills will help you develop a strong foundation as a Sales Manager and be able to negotiate and close deals to sell innovative technology products and services.

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Financial Analyst

Financial Analysts help businesses make financial decisions. They analyze financial data to identify trends and patterns. They then use this information to develop recommendations for how businesses can improve their financial performance. In this course, you will learn how to analyze financial data, develop financial models, and make financial recommendations. These skills will help you develop a strong foundation as a Financial Analyst and be able to make sound financial decisions about how to fund and invest in new technology-oriented ventures.

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Operations Manager

Operations Managers plan and oversee the day-to-day operations of a business. They work with a variety of stakeholders, including employees, customers, and suppliers, to ensure that operations run smoothly and efficiently. In this course, you will learn the fundamentals of operations management, including how to plan and schedule operations, manage inventory, and control costs. These skills will help you develop a strong foundation as an Operations Manager and may be able to use your knowledge of operations management to improve the efficiency of startup organizations.

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Human Resources Manager

Human Resources Managers develop and implement HR policies and procedures. They work with a variety of stakeholders, including employees, managers, and executives, to ensure that HR practices are aligned with the business's strategic goals. In this course, you will learn the fundamentals of human resources management, including how to develop HR policies and procedures, recruit and hire employees, and manage employee performance. These skills will help you develop a strong foundation as a Human Resources Manager and be able to staff and manage employees in technology-focused startups.

See salaries and explore the career path for Human Resources Manager