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Lori Rosenkopf, Kartik Hosanagar, David Hsu, Karl T. Ulrich, and Ethan Mollick

How does a good idea become a viable business opportunity? What is entrepreneurship and who fits the profile of an entrepreneur? This introductory course is designed to introduce you to the foundational concepts of entrepreneurship, including the definition of entrepreneurship, the profile of the entrepreneur, the difference between entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial management, and the role of venture creation in society. You’ll explore where technology entrepreneurship and impact entrepreneurship align and where they diverge, and you’ll learn proven techniques for identifying the opportunity, assessing the opportunity, hypothesis testing and creating a prototype.

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How does a good idea become a viable business opportunity? What is entrepreneurship and who fits the profile of an entrepreneur? This introductory course is designed to introduce you to the foundational concepts of entrepreneurship, including the definition of entrepreneurship, the profile of the entrepreneur, the difference between entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial management, and the role of venture creation in society. You’ll explore where technology entrepreneurship and impact entrepreneurship align and where they diverge, and you’ll learn proven techniques for identifying the opportunity, assessing the opportunity, hypothesis testing and creating a prototype.

By the end of this course, you’ll know how to test, validate and prototype your idea, and also whether or not you fit the profile of an entrepreneur! You’ll also be ready to move on to the next phase of entrepreneurship in Entrepreneurship 2: Launching the Start-Up.

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What's inside

Syllabus

Introduction and Course Materials
This module was designed to introduce you to the team of Wharton professors who are teaching this course and others in the Entrepreneurship Specialization. You will also discover that entrepreneurship has different applications and even different definitions in academia and in practice. By the end of this short module, you'll know what entrepreneurship means to you and others, and understand some of the common arguments about entrepreneurship as a field of study.
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Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Explores core concepts of entrepreneurship, including definitions, profiles, differences between entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial management, and the role of venture creation in society
Provides understanding of entrepreneurial opportunities, how to identify them, assess them, and create prototypes for testing
Taught by prominent Wharton professors recognized for their work in entrepreneurship
Suitable for beginners seeking to learn the fundamentals of entrepreneurship
Can help learners discover whether they align with the profile of an entrepreneur
Provides a foundation for learners who wish to pursue further coursework in entrepreneurship

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Reviews summary

Developing business opportunity fundamentals

According to learners, Entrepreneurship 1: Developing the Opportunity provides a solid foundation for those exploring the path of entrepreneurship. Students particularly praise the high-quality instructors from Wharton, finding their lectures informative and engaging. The course introduces practical frameworks and useful tools like the VIDE model for assessing business opportunities, which many found immediately applicable. While the course is seen as an excellent introduction, some learners note that assignments can be challenging and the quality of peer review varies. Overall, it's considered a valuable starting point for developing business ideas.
Excellent starting point for aspiring entrepreneurs.
"This course is perfect if you're just starting to explore entrepreneurship."
"Gave me a solid foundation in core concepts."
"An excellent overview of developing a business idea."
Provides useful tools for evaluating business ideas.
"The VIDE model and tournament method were very helpful frameworks."
"I can immediately apply these tools to my own business ideas."
"Learned practical methods for opportunity assessment."
Experienced Wharton faculty deliver engaging content.
"The professors were excellent and clearly experts in their field."
"I found the lectures engaging and informative thanks to the instructors."
"Loved learning from the Wharton faculty; their insights were invaluable."
Quality of feedback from peers is inconsistent.
"Getting useful feedback from peers was hit or miss."
"The peer review process could be improved."
"Sometimes peers didn't seem to grasp the assignment fully."
Homework requires significant effort and critical thinking.
"Some assignments were quite demanding and took a lot of time."
"The homework pushed me to think deeply but was sometimes difficult."
"Be prepared to put in work on the assignments."

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 1: Developing the Opportunity with these activities:
Review basic statistics concepts
The course requires a basic understanding of statistics, and this activity helps to refresh those skills.
Browse courses on Statistics
Show steps
  • Review your notes
  • Take a practice quiz
  • Watch a tutorial
Watch online tutorials on business model innovation
Videos and tutorials provide additional resources for understanding business model innovation, which is a key topic in the course.
Browse courses on Business Model Innovation
Show steps
  • Watch the tutorials
  • Take notes
  • Share your learnings with others
Read Lean Analytics
This book provides a framework for data-driven decision-making in startups and will supplement the course materials on opportunity analysis.
Show steps
  • Read the book
  • Summarize the key concepts
  • Create a presentation on the book
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Attend a startup pitch competition
Witnessing entrepreneurs pitch their ideas will reinforce the concepts of opportunity assessment and pitching from class.
Show steps
  • Attend the pitch competition
  • Evaluate the pitches
  • Network with other attendees
Solve the following problems
Startup funding and financial modeling are complex topics, and the practice drills will provide the opportunity to apply the concepts learned in class.
Browse courses on Start-up Funding
Show steps
  • Solve the problem set
  • Check your answers
  • Review the solutions
Case study discussion groups
Peer case study discussion groups will provide an opportunity to apply the concepts learned in class to real-world scenarios.
Show steps
  • Read the case study
  • Prepare discussion questions
  • Participate in the discussion
Develop a company prototype
Developing a company prototype provides practical experience in applying the concepts of opportunity assessment and pitching learned in the course.
Show steps
  • Define the problem
  • Brainstorm solutions
  • Create a prototype
  • Pitch the prototype

Career center

Learners who complete Entrepreneurship 1: Developing the Opportunity will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Entrepreneur
Entrepreneurs are individuals who start and run their own businesses. They are responsible for all aspects of their businesses, from developing the idea to marketing and sales. This course would be useful to Entrepreneurs because it teaches them the foundational concepts of entrepreneurship, including the definition of entrepreneurship, the profile of the entrepreneur, and the difference between entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial management. The course also teaches how to test, validate, and prototype an idea.
Innovation Consultant
Innovation Consultants help businesses develop and implement new ideas. They work with clients to identify opportunities, develop strategies, and create prototypes. This course would be useful to Innovation Consultants because it teaches them the foundational concepts of entrepreneurship, including the definition of entrepreneurship, the profile of the entrepreneur, and the difference between entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial management. The course also teaches how to test, validate, and prototype an idea.
Venture Capitalist
Venture Capitalists invest in early-stage companies with high growth potential. They provide funding and support to help these companies succeed. This course would be useful to Venture Capitalists because it teaches them how to identify and evaluate investment opportunities. The course also teaches how to conduct due diligence and negotiate term sheets.
Technology Transfer Manager
Technology Transfer Managers help universities and research institutions commercialize their technologies. They work with researchers to identify and evaluate technologies with commercial potential. This course would be useful to Technology Transfer Managers because it teaches them how to identify and evaluate investment opportunities. The course also teaches how to conduct due diligence and negotiate term sheets.
Private Equity Investor
Private Equity Investors invest in private companies with high growth potential. They provide funding and support to help these companies succeed. This course would be useful to Private Equity Investors because it teaches them how to identify and evaluate investment opportunities. The course also teaches how to conduct due diligence and negotiate term sheets.
Business Analyst
Business Analysts help businesses improve their operations and performance. They identify and analyze problems and recommend solutions. This course would be useful to Business Analysts because it teaches them the foundational concepts of entrepreneurship, including the definition of entrepreneurship, the profile of the entrepreneur, and the difference between entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial management. The course also teaches how to test, validate, and prototype an idea.
Strategy Consultant
Strategy Consultants help businesses develop and implement their strategies. They work with clients to identify opportunities, develop strategies, and create prototypes. This course would be useful to Strategy Consultants because it teaches them the foundational concepts of entrepreneurship, including the definition of entrepreneurship, the profile of the entrepreneur, and the difference between entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial management. The course also teaches how to test, validate, and prototype an idea.
Management Consultant
Management Consultants help businesses improve their operations and performance. They work with clients to identify and analyze problems and recommend solutions. This course would be useful to Management Consultants because it teaches them the foundational concepts of entrepreneurship, including the definition of entrepreneurship, the profile of the entrepreneur, and the difference between entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial management. The course also teaches how to test, validate, and prototype an idea.
Product Manager
Product Managers are responsible for the development and launch of new products. They work with engineers, designers, and marketers to bring products to market that meet the needs of customers. This course would be useful to Product Managers because it teaches them how to pitch an idea, test it, and create a prototype. These skills are essential for success in product management.
Investment Banker
Investment Bankers help companies raise capital and advise them on mergers and acquisitions. This course would be useful to Investment Bankers because it teaches them how to identify and evaluate investment opportunities. The course also teaches how to conduct due diligence and negotiate term sheets.
Financial Analyst
Financial Analysts help businesses make informed financial decisions. They analyze financial data and make recommendations about investments and financial strategies. This course would be useful to Financial Analysts because it teaches them how to identify and evaluate investment opportunities. The course also teaches how to conduct due diligence and negotiate term sheets.
Market Research Analyst
Market Research Analysts conduct research to understand market conditions, customer behavior, and industry trends. They use this information to help businesses make informed decisions about product development, marketing, and pricing. This course would be useful to Market Research Analysts because it teaches them how to define a market, identify user needs, and harness the wisdom of the crowd. These skills are essential for success in market research.
Sales Manager
Sales Managers are responsible for leading and managing sales teams. They develop sales strategies, set targets, and motivate their teams to achieve success. This course would be useful to Sales Managers because it teaches them the foundational concepts of entrepreneurship, including the definition of entrepreneurship, the profile of the entrepreneur, and the difference between entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial management. The course also teaches how to test, validate, and prototype an idea.
Business Development Manager
Business Development Managers are responsible for identifying and pursuing new opportunities for their companies. They research markets, develop strategies, and build relationships with potential clients and partners. This course would be useful to Business Development Managers because it helps build a foundation in opportunity analysis, which is a key skill for success in the role. The course teaches how to discover, develop, and assess opportunities, so Business Development Managers can choose those with the best potential for success.
Corporate Venture Capital Analyst
Corporate Venture Capital Analysts get involved in the process of researching and investing firm capital into opportunities outside the core business. They might conduct due diligence into new markets or competitive threats, providing insights to their firms that help them make informed choices about investments. This course may be useful to Corporate Venture Capital Analysts because it teaches foundational concepts of entrepreneurship, including the definition of entrepreneurship, the profile of the entrepreneur, and the difference between entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial management.

Reading list

We've selected 13 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 1: Developing the Opportunity.
Provides a step-by-step guide to building a successful startup using the Lean Methodology. It is particularly valuable for entrepreneurs starting or running their first business, offering practical advice on how to test ideas, validate assumptions, and iterate quickly.
This classic work explores the challenges faced by established companies in innovating and adapting to disruptive technologies. It is highly relevant to entrepreneurs looking to understand the dynamics of industry change and how to position their ventures for long-term success.
Challenges conventional wisdom about innovation and entrepreneurship, arguing that successful ventures are built on creating something truly new and valuable. It thought-provoking read for entrepreneurs seeking inspiration and guidance on how to build a transformative business.
Offers a candid and practical guide to the challenges and triumphs of building and running a successful startup. It valuable resource for entrepreneurs navigating the difficult decisions and obstacles that come with the entrepreneurial journey.
Provides a systematic approach to customer acquisition and growth for startups. It offers practical advice on how to test and validate marketing channels, build a loyal customer base, and scale your business.
Introduces the Business Model Canvas, a visual tool for describing and analyzing business models. It useful resource for entrepreneurs looking to develop and refine their business models.
Explores the challenges faced by companies when crossing the chasm from early adopters to mainstream customers. It useful read for entrepreneurs looking to understand the dynamics of market adoption and how to position their ventures for success.
Provides practical advice and insights on starting and running a successful business. It valuable resource for entrepreneurs looking for guidance on everything from fundraising to marketing and customer service.
Challenges the romanticized view of entrepreneurship and offers a more realistic perspective on the challenges and rewards of starting and running a business. It valuable read for entrepreneurs looking to gain a deeper understanding of the entrepreneurial journey.
Provides a framework for evaluating and developing effective business strategies. It useful read for entrepreneurs looking to develop a clear and actionable plan for their ventures.
Provides a concise and accessible overview of the core concepts of business and management. It valuable resource for entrepreneurs looking to gain a fundamental understanding of the business landscape and how to make informed decisions.

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