Creating and Developing a Tech Startup from Coursera

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.

Fostering the development of your concept

This session will familiarize you with the principal steps for bringing an innovative project to fruition. Among other things, we will evoke the fundamentals of managing a project and the knowledge acquisition process that enables you to make crucial decisions for the company over time. We will also investigate the principal pillars of your strategic project and suggest some guidelines for the company strategy. You will be asked to understand the dynamics of the market that you are targeting and to identify what it takes to be leader in your segment. Your margin for maneuver will not be the same if your innovation creates a new market versus if it substitutes an existing offer. We will also invite you to analyze the customer-perceived utility value, in terms of benefits as well as sacrifices. Finally, we will tackle an essential aspect concerning the valorization of a technology and the development of a company – intellectual property – and give you several solutions in order to use it wisely.

Identifying the actors of technological innovation

Young technology companies often spring out of research work conducted in public or private laboratories. The technology transfer of this work can take place directly by license agreements. But in certain cases, the creation ex-nihilo of a company is the option used to transform academic learning and outcomes into an innovative product or service. This session will familiarize you with the purpose of a technology transfer service at a top-tier university with respect to scientific production. You will learn about how a young researcher decided to create his own company to exploit his research work immediately after completing his thesis. We will return once again to the importance of the team and the manner in which tech startups are structured. We will notably examine the role of the leader and conflict management, commonplace in startups. Finally, you will hear about the experiences of two management sciences researchers who studied the emergence of several dozen cooperative scientific projects at the Ecole Polytechnique.

How to calculate your financing needs and to find funding

The development of an innovative technology is an exciting adventure that is often like an obstacle course when it comes to finding the first sources of financing. Though new technologies are fascinating, many investors are reluctant to finance them because there are real technical, sales and human risks at stake. Even so, many sources of financing exist and tech entrepreneurs demonstrate tremendous creativity to successfully move forward from the development stage of a breakthrough technology to the commercialization of an innovative and profitable offer. This session deals with the financing of the innovation and will show you how to assess your financing needs and how to find the corresponding resources. You will also gain insight into the reasoning of venture capitalists, who sometimes finance companies at a very early stage.

Defining your business model

Developing a technology, building a team and financing the startup are not the only challenges that you and your colleagues will face. The elaboration of a credible value proposition and a scalable and profitable business model require a lot of back-and-forth discussions because the clients and sales terms and conditions of your offer will often be very different than originally planned. To win over financial partners, you will have to present the essentials of your project in a business plan and we will familiarize you with its main components in this session. Finally, you will view two case studies about entrepreneurs who created their companies on the basis of their research work. One of them sold his company and the other did several rounds of venture capital to speed up development before his IPO.

End of the course and final exam

These last two weeks do not include any new elements of the course. You can organize yourselves however you wish over this period to review lessons and take the final exam.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, 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

A guide to tech startups

Learners say this course on start-ups is engaging and well-received.

Offers a clear understanding of the challenges.

"Clearly defines the challenges in creating a technological start up."

"Provides the tools to face the challenges of creating a tech startup."

"This course gives the student a solid understanding of what they need to overcome."

Quizzes could be more theoretical.

"Just would have focused the quizzes a bit more on theoretical content."

"More theory and mathematics could be added to make the quizzes more engaging."

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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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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